Cowlitz County approves $1.23 million Burma Road bypass after erosion concerns

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners voted to award the low bid for the Burma Road–Toutle Park Road bypass project to Tappanee Inc., accepting a $1,234,000 proposal that county staff said was below the engineer’s estimate.

County engineer Susan Eugenis told the board the bids, opened July 2, produced 11 bidders and that Tappanee was the responsive low bidder. Eugenis said the project relocates and reconstructs a county road segment that is threatened by severe bank erosion and recurring seeps; repairing the highway in place would likely require an extensive wall or buttress estimated at "$3 million to $5 million" and could take two to five years for permitting, staff said.

"These bids were opened on July 2. The low bidder was $1,234,000, which is below the engineer’s estimate," Eugenis said. She described geotechnical concerns at a roughly 40‑foot cliff and explained that relocation of the roadway was chosen for cost and longevity reasons.

During public comment, residents described rapid property loss and raised technical questions about whether the Army Corps of Engineers’ placement of fill and dredged material decades ago — and springs under the fill — are aggravating erosion. "The river is not doing this," said resident Kenny Shea, who said he has lost significant acreage and urged the county to hold the Army Corps accountable. Other residents and commissioners noted the problems are widespread along the Cowlitz and Toutle rivers.

Commissioners said the county will pay for the bypass to ensure emergency access for residents, the Cowlitz Public Shooting Range and county property known as LT‑1. The board discussed leaving a short portion unpaved initially to monitor settling; Eugenis said they will pave the first 650 feet immediately and leave the next 400–600 feet gravel to stabilize, with potential repaving in one to three summers.

The board moved and voted to award the contract; the transcript records two recorded "Aye" votes and the chair declared the motion approved. Staff said they will prepare contract documents and an amended resolution for signature.

The commissioners and several residents said they will continue pressing the Army Corps of Engineers and federal partners for broader river restoration and remediation funding, but they emphasized the county must act now to preserve access and public safety.

What happens next: staff will finalize contract documents for Tappanee Inc. and proceed with the project design and easement work. County engineers will maintain a monitoring plan for the unpaved section and report back if settlement requires earlier paving.