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Ecology outlines Deschutes Estuary restoration plan, targets 2027 construction start if funded
Summary
Ecology and consultant team updated the Leadership Council on the Deschutes Estuary Restoration, describing a 60% design milestone, major dredging (~700,000 cubic yards), a new 5th Avenue bridge, and a tentative path to construction beginning in 2027 pending funding.
Ecology presented updated design, schedule and funding plans for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration, emphasizing benefits for fish habitat, flood resilience and downtown transportation.
At a Leadership Council meeting Dec. 17, Tom Broker, Northwest Region Director for Ecology, said the agency took primary responsibility for the project in June 2025 and is now approaching a 60% design milestone. Consultant project manager Tessa Gernerbaum said the design envisions a substantial dredging event—"on the order of about 700,000 cubic yards of material"—with most newly excavated sediment reused within the estuary footprint to create shoreline habitat.
Why it matters: the restoration would reconnect the Deschutes River to Puget Sound, restore tidal habitat, and address a key flooding pathway into downtown Olympia. The project includes building a replacement 5th Avenue Bridge and a utilities/pedestrian bridge, reconfiguring stormwater outfalls (67 identified), and sequencing construction to maintain traffic and utilities.
Design and timeline: Ecology staff said they are sharing 30% design materials broadly and completing 60% design in early 2026. If funding is available, the agency aims to reach final design by June 2027 and move into construction thereafter; construction is expected to take several years. Staff noted extensive coordination with the city of Olympia, Department of Enterprise Services (which currently owns the state‑constructed road), Squaxin Island Tribe and other local partners.
Funding and permitting: the team described a diversified funding strategy that mixes state capital allocations, federal grants (NOAA, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), tribal contributions and other sources; Ecology has received some initial legislative allocations and grant commitments but said the construction phase is not yet fully funded. Staff also described ongoing value‑engineering to reduce costs and improve constructability.
Next steps: Ecology will continue design, complete permitting and refine the funding plan. Staff offered to return with another update in 2026 as design advances.
