Community Development
Skookum Creek Bridge
The Squaxin Island Tribe and Mason County Commissioners announced partial completion on December 15, 2006 of a bridge replacement project on Old Olympic Highway in Mason County, allowing the bridge to safely open to the public. Because the bridge opened right after a big windstorm, the opening celebration was delayed until a week later.
The Skookum Creek Bridge is located on an off-reservation county road in Kamilche, between the cities of Olympia and Shelton in South Mason County. The total project cost is approximately $1.4 million. The Squaxin Island Tribe is the project lead working in agreement with Mason County, and Rognlin’s, Inc. is Mason County’s contractor. The new bridge is built to current construction and environmental standards with wider lanes, safer approaches, and a sidewalk.
The original bridge was declared functionally obsolete in the 1990’s and when the Tribe secured financing, the County was able to go forward with the project. The Tribe provided 80% of the project costs as well as significant planning and support using a combination of federal funds and Tribal fuel tax revenues.
Under an agreement with the State of Washington, the Tribe charges the same tax rate as the State on sales of gas and diesel, and retains 75% of taxes for all fuel sold on the Reservation. During the 2007 legislative session, the Tribe is working with the State Department of Licensing to pursue passage of a bill that will make its fuel tax agreement permanent.
Construction began in July 2006. Construction was fully complete in 2007.
For more information, contact Squaxin Planner Lynn Scroggins at (360) 432-3952, Planning/Community Development Director Brian Thompson at (360) 432-3907, or Executive Director Ray Peters at (360) 432-3900.
