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Parpola Road tide-gate failure prompts waiver of bidding and plans for replacement
Summary
After an underwater pipe and tide gate failed on Parpola Road, the board waived competitive bidding under RCW 39.04.080 to allow immediate mitigation; staff said the culvert/pipe is rotten and replacement will require road closure and a larger project budget.
Pacific County public-works staff told commissioners on Jan. 14 that a tide gate and submerged pipe on Parpola Road failed, allowing saltwater intrusion that threatens nearby wells and septic systems. The board adopted Resolution No. 2025-003 waiving competitive-bid requirements under RCW 39.04.080 so the county can proceed with immediate mitigation and planning for full replacement.
Why it matters: The failed tide gate affects private properties’ freshwater-saltwater separation and raises public-health and infrastructure risks; staff described the existing pipe as roughly 25 years old and rotten, and said interim repairs (a temporary balloon plug) failed after several hours.
Public-works staff recounted the response: county crews and an on-call contractor installed a temporary balloon plug to limit saltwater intrusion, but the old, submerged pipe disintegrated and the temporary fix did not hold. Staff said Vision Wildlife (the environmental reviewer) has given clearance to replace the pipe, but full replacement will require a road closure and a significantly larger budget than the $15,000 emergency threshold discussed in the workshop. The board approved a waiver of competitive bidding so staff can expedite contracting for the urgent repairs and preconstruction work.
Board members and staff emphasized the repair will be a multi-phase project: initial mitigation, environmental coordination, a planned road closure and formal contracting for replacement. The motion and subsequent discussion made clear the work will exceed the originally anticipated small emergency amount and will be brought back to the board for necessary contracting and budget authority.
Ending: Resolution 2025-003 was adopted by voice vote. Staff will return with design options, cost estimates and a schedule for road closure and construction.
