Cowlitz County plans emergency road work after major washout on Toodle Park Road

Susan (county staff) told commissioners that heavy rains caused a substantial washout at Toodle Park Road and staff have a roughly 75% design to build a new alignment across county and private property that staff referred to internally as 'Baby Burma.'

"We are currently working up the emergency contract... we hope to have something out to a contractor this week and that we can be bringing that to you to get them out and start working on replacing the road," Susan said, adding that critical areas and environmental reports are under preparation and that the county is pursuing property appraisals and negotiations with property owner Warehouser to secure possession and use.

Susan described a phased, geotechnically informed approach: the county will pave the first section along property lines, place gravel through a gully where the design anticipates substantial settlement (she cited a 20–40 foot dip and anticipated pushing roughly 25 feet of fill in the gully), and return in about a year (targeted 2027) to finish final paving once settling has occurred.

Commissioners asked for clarity about where the new road will tie in and how resident access would be affected. Staff said the new alignment would approach from roughly 300–500 feet north in the shown photos, provide alternate access for three or four residences, and likely require new addresses for some properties and the gun range. Staff said they expect to bring an emergency resolution and an emergency contracting request to the board and to begin on‑the‑ground work by the middle of the month if property rights and permits can be resolved.

No formal resolution vote or contract award occurred in this meeting; staff sought direction and approval to proceed with procurement steps and permitting.