Communities across Washington are getting millions of dollars to repair roads, bridges, and other infrastructure damaged by flooding, wildfires, and more.
Communities across Washington are getting millions of dollars to repair roads, bridges, and other infrastructure damaged by flooding, wildfire, and other emergencies.
The Washington State Public Works Board awarded $7.45 million for seven projects at its Sept. 4 meeting.
Of that, $5.45 million will go toward four western Washington communities still recovering from the powerful atmospheric rivers that caused widespread flooding and damage in December 2025.
The remaining $2 million will support three emergency projects in eastern Washington.
The December storms brought flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across western Washington, prompting Gov. Bob Ferguson to declare an emergency in 28 counties.
Here’s where the money is going:
Chelan County — $750,000 grant
Chelan County will receive $750,000 for the Company Creek Road Resilience Project near Stehekin after December flooding washed out about 400 feet of the road.
Flooding on the Stehekin River reached its highest level since record-keeping began more than a century ago and destroyed a longtime protective levee.
The project will rebuild the road while making changes designed to better withstand future flooding and erosion.
Chehalis — $700,000 grant
Chehalis will receive $700,000 to repair the Exhibitor Creek Bridge and restore safe vehicle access on Exhibitor Avenue.
High water in Salzer Creek caused significant erosion and scouring during the December floods. The bridge was closed to all traffic in June after structural and safety concerns were identified.
The project will repair the bridge and add protections intended to make it more resilient during future high-water events.
Scour under Exhibitor Creek Bridge in Chehalis after Salzer Creek flooded. (City of Chehalis)Hoquiam — $2 million grant
Hoquiam will receive $2 million to repair Broadway Avenue along the Hoquiam River, where king tides and heavy runoff have caused the road to settle.
The December storms caused additional settling and hazardous driving conditions. The Public Works Board said the road is at risk of catastrophic failure, which could force residents, businesses and emergency responders to take a 30-mile detour if it collapses.
Work will include rebuilding the road, replacing water and sewer utilities, installing a fish-bearing culvert and building a deep retaining wall to keep the roadway from falling into the river.
Kent — $2 million grant
Kent will receive $2 million for flood resilience improvements along South 259th Street between the Union Pacific Railroad and Third Avenue South.
During the December storms, the Green River overtopped its banks as the city experienced a Stage 4 flood with historic water levels. Temporary flood barriers had been installed along low-lying stretches of South 259th Street shortly before the water reached them.
The project calls for raising the road through the low-lying area and installing a flood levee south of the road where it passes under the Union Pacific Railroad bridge.
Installed flood barriers along a rapidly rising Green River. (City of Kent)Spokane — $1 million loan
Spokane will receive a $1 million loan to repair damage at the Northside Landfill caused by the Old Trail Fire in August.
The fire damaged an estimated 70% to 75% of the landfill's vegetated final cover as well as electrical service. Repairs will include restoring vegetation and electrical power for landfill-gas systems, telemetry and communications, along with repairing structures and remediation systems.
Connell — $612,000 loan, $108,000 grant
Connell in Franklin County will receive a $612,000 loan and $108,000 grant to repair damaged wastewater treatment lagoons.
Erosion and deterioration have damaged embankments, protective slopes, and other infrastructure. The project is intended to prevent disruptions to wastewater treatment and reduce the risk of untreated wastewater being released into the environment.
Waitsburg — $255,000 loan, $45,000 grant
Waitsburg in Walla Walla County will receive a $255,000 loan and $45,000 grant to repair a leaking, failed sewer pipe.
Part of the damaged line runs underneath a downtown building and State Route 124, making repairs difficult. The line carries sewage from several parts of the city to the wastewater treatment plant, and officials said a collapse could cause widespread sewer backups.
