Date:  Thursday, November 13, 2008

Contact: Joy Goldenberg, Communications Manager, (206) 515-3411

EDMONDS – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division is removing the former fueling pier known as the Unocal Pier located off the shore of Marina Beach Park in Edmonds. The removal is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 24, continuing through March 2009.

During the removal, park users can expect restricted public access to some park areas on or near the work site, increased noise, activity and heavy equipment from the construction site, and increased truck traffic on the park access road along the park’s eastern edge.

The Unocal pier, owned by the City of Edmonds since 2001, is a creosote-treated timber pier that has stood abandoned since 1991 and is currently in disrepair. Creosote treated timber can leach contaminants.

The project will remove approximately 530 creosote-treated lumber piles and 31,000 square feet of creosote-treated timber decking to return the offshore area to its natural state. Because the piling removal will also remove the existing marine habitat on the pilings, WSDOT is working with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the Seattle Aquarium to collect marine samples for public exhibits at their respective aquariums.

This project is funded by WSDOT Ferries Division as early environmental mitigation for future improvements to the Edmonds Ferry Terminal. This required mitigation was determined as part as of an Environmental Impact Statement process and documented in the 2005 Edmonds Crossing Record of Decision.

For more ferry system information, please visit the WSDOT Ferries Division Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.

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