The Snoqualmie City Council has approved plans to add additional crack seal to Snoqualmie Parkway, between Fisher Avenue and State Route 202, in order to protect the road from further damage as the city works to secure state funding for its full repavement.
The plan comes as the road is more distressed than the city originally projected. The adhesive sealant protects the parkway from moisture entering its cracks, which can deteriorate the roads asphalt over time. In a press release, the city said this will protect the roadway through the winter.
“This is a temporary means to help the parkway get through a period of time until we can get the parkway resurfaced,” Councilmember Matthew Laase said. “[We will] keep the repaving of the parkway as a priority, it is a lifeline for Snoqualmie. More businesses and residents use that roadway than any other.”
Drivers can expect some lane closures over the next month as part of the project. Permitting good weather, the public works department expects to complete the sealing by Sept. 26. The 2021 Crack Seal Project is a sub-project of the larger Snoqualmie Parkway Rehabilitation Program, which was approved this year as part of the city’s 2021-2026 Capital Improvement Plan.
In August, the council approved plans for a $91,990 contract to CR Consulting to address the resealing of the parkway. However, the road was in worse condition than expected, and, through a change order, an additional $43,065 was approved to complete the parkway from Fisher Avenue to the city limits, towards I-90.
Through a second change order, the city is spending an additional $71,775 to complete the resealing of the remainder of the parkway from Fisher Avenue to SR 202, bringing the total project cost to $206,830.
The council said this is a cheap alternative to protect the road and its investments. Councilmember James Mayhew said the crack seal is protecting at least $6-8 million in investments the city has already made in the parkway.
“This is a significant thing for our community.” Mayhew said. “Many members of the community don’t fully realize what’s happening. They say ‘hey the road got bumpy and that’s a bad thing,’ it’s really a very good thing.”
The city also completed a resealing of the parkway in 2013, but additional longitudinal cracks have appeared since then, according to a July council report. The cost to repave the whole parkway is estimated at $6.4 million, according to the city’s website.
In 2021, the parkway’s four sections were given an average score of 53.25 out of 100 on the pavement condition index (PCI). A PCI rating below 60 is considered in poor condition. Only one of the four sections of the road had a score above 60. The road is most damaged near SR 202, with the section between 202 and Fisher Avenue having a score of 48.
The majority of the pavement damage is coming from large trucks who frequent the road, according to an outside report issued by the city. The report estimates large trucks are causing 95% of the damages.
Mayor Matt Larson called the sealing a small but significant investment. He said the sealing will protect the road and buy the city a couple more years until they can secure state funding, or make the parkway an extension of State Route 202.
“Hopefully this will get us to where we can eventually team with other parties and re-do the parkway,” Councilmember Bryan Holloway said.
