Skamania County closes Butler Eddie landing for inspection after guardrail and structural concerns; weekly updates promised

Skamania County transportation staff closed the Butler Eddie landing and adjacent bridge following repeated heavy-vehicle crossings that damaged guardrails and prompted safety concerns over Memorial Day weekend.

Public works staff advised commissioners that multiple semis had crossed the structure the week the county decided to close it and that one semi again damaged the east-side guardrail. The county is pursuing inspection quotes and expected to have those back to staff by the coming Thursday; a consultant will be engaged to produce a formal inspection and repair timeline.

Staff said they have met with community members at the landing, have contacted Burlington Northern about train operations near the landing, and intend to provide the board weekly status updates once a consultant is onboard. “We’re gonna do weekly updates as soon as we get a consultant on board,” the staff member said in the meeting chat.

County staff also reported a temporary gravel repair was made to a walking path near the landing; staff said they will do a permanent asphalt repair once the source of water intrusion is identified and addressed.

No formal motion or funding authorization for repairs was made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue inspections, obtain contractor quotes, coordinate with the railroad and report back with a timeline and weekly status updates.