Seattle – The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled to begin work Nov. 11 to repair and restore a 300-foot reach of the Point Chehalis revetment, including a 60-foot reach that could fail during a severe storm.
The Corps has awarded a contract to Rognlin’s Inc. of Aberdeen, Wash., for $500,600 to complete the work by approximately Dec. 11.
The Point Chehalis Revetment is a system of 3,100 feet of armor stone revetment and six groins. The system is designed to provide protection of the coast line from strong and dynamic coastal wave action. Since 2000, there has been increased wave energy at the revetment and is related to significant change in bathymetry – depth measurements - through the harbor mouth. Wave overtopping frequency continues to increase damage to both the revetment and groins. Several sections of the western end of the revetment are failing due to loss of armor stone as a result of annual severe winter storms.
An emergency repair was undertaken to fix an approximately 100-foot weak spot in advance of a moderately large coastal storm event Oct. 23-24, 2010.
The revetment is 2-3 feet below authorized height in areas where the structures core material dislodged from the structure. Displaced core material has led to overall loss of structure stability.
Construction activities have been coordinated with the City of Westport and Port of Grays Harbor.
Large truck and trailer units will be hauling approximately 2,500 tons of large armor stone to the site. Armor stones are 7 to 15 tons each. Work will be concentrated Monday through Friday, early morning to late afternoon, and no work is planned Sundays.
Trucks will use a pre-determined back road, avoiding the business area of Westport.
The section of revetment under repair will be closed to the public during construction. “No Public Access” signs will be posted at the entrance.
The section of revetment being repaired will be quite dangerous. Between the on-site heavy equipment, 6-17 ton rocks that are not yet placed and can shift, and truck traffic, the boardwalk and beach on either side of the repair area will be periodically closed. No one will be allowed within the construction zone on the revetment.
Noise during construction will be minimal, however, residents need to be aware that noise can be amplified and travels long distance over water.