Repairs to Semiahmoo Parkway needed

By Stefanie Donahue

Parts of Blaine sustained critical damage as a result of the December 20 wind storm that struck much of the Puget Sound.

“One of the critical areas was Semiahmoo Parkway,” said assistant public works director Sam Castro in a presentation to Blaine City Council on January 7. “We definitely have some serious beach erosion out there.”

While none of the road on the parkway was damaged, approximately 700 feet of coastal armoring located between the Alaska Packers Association museum and Semiahmoo Resort is gone, he said. The armoring is used to reinforce and protect the shoreline.

“We are very susceptible in that particular corridor,” Castro said.

In coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies, staff with the public works department are developing a strategic recovery plan for the corridor.

“If we have another storm, and it has the potential to take out that corridor, [the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] would be next to our side with resources to help combat that and give us some level of protection,” Castro said. “However, that is only a temporary measure.”

In addition to the damage on Semiahmoo Parkway, the storm also caused some utility poles on Pipeline Road to lean and several trees to topple throughout the city. Castro said it took about a week and a half for public works staff to remove debris.

“There will be some recovery, without question,” he said.

The city was due to submit a preliminary damage assessment to the state for possible reimbursement by January 9.

“That 700 feet of repair area in the armory is going to come with a very heavy expense,” Castro said. “The truth of the matter is, that corridor has been susceptible to this type of damage for many, many years.”