Snohomish County Public Works Receives National Recognition from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Two Years in a Row

Snohomish County Public Works received the APWA Project of the Year Award for the Index-Galena Road Flood Repair project, recognized at the annual expo in Chicago. The project, which started after a catastrophic flood in 2006, took 17 years to develop and nearly three years to construct. County Executive Dave Somers highlighted the project's importance in restoring access to the upper Skykomish River and reconnecting the community. Public Works Director Kelly Snyder remarked that the award reflects the hard work and dedication involved in public infrastructure projects. Extensive collaboration was required among numerous stakeholders, including federal and state agencies, local Tribes, and environmental groups.

The project involved innovative engineering solutions to enhance the road's resilience, including relocating it away from the floodplain and installing advanced drainage systems. More than 40,000 native species were planted to promote biodiversity and protect local wildlife habitats. The successful completion of this project demonstrates a commitment to improving public infrastructure and environmental stewardship.