To provide greater access to the region’s transit system and create vibrant transit-oriented neighborhoods, subarea plans were designed that propose future development around two new light rail stations in Shoreline, Washington. The subarea planning processes for both station areas engaged stakeholders and the community in shaping the future plans for the neighborhoods.
Transit Oriented Development Plans that Maximize Land Use and Community Mobility
The plans focused on maximizing short and long-term land use opportunities presented by the light rail stations, including a mix of residential, employment, and commercial uses. An emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle access between uses enhances development in the area while establishing a comfortable, attractive, and vibrant public realm. Creating effective transitions between the newly planning transit-oriented community and adjacent uses also maximizes opportunities for housing across a range of income levels and enhances the ridership base for the expanded transit system. In close coordination with Sound Transit, Otak completed the station subarea plans while also conducting analysis around an environmental impact statement, property values, fiscal conditions, and alternatives for an urban design that best suits the neighborhood in preparation of the station area plan.
Otak worked closely with Solidarites International staff and the Mae La refugee camp ‘water committee’ to evaluate all existing water sources, storage and supply assets and develop a maintenance plan to improve water supply operations to all camp residents. Evaluated alternatives for a new water source to augment the supply during the dry season to increase drought resilience of the water supply system. These alternatives included additional springs, deep bores, a shallow alluvial aquifer, and an adjacent river. A dry season river flow assessment was undertaken and was deemed the most appropriate new water source. A new river intake 5km upstream of the camp and associated gravity-fed infrastructure was specified, including detailed costing and BOQ.
In addressing the City of Camas immediate needs while providing new piping for future demands, a new pedestrian bridge over the Washougal River was designed to connect a regional trail system and carry a new water main. Otak was chosen to manage a full-service design team addressing water and utility design. That team included civil engineering, trail and landscape architecture, environmental analysis and permitting, structural and geotechnical engineering and archaeological investigation.
A Structure to Connect a Trail System and Carry Utility Infrastructure
Working in an area with archaeologically sensitive sites and important fish habitat would pose a challenge to any single project, yet the City of Camas sought three concurrent projects in just such a space: nearly two miles of a regional trail system, a new 24-inch water transmission main and a new bridge to carry water and sewer over the Washougal River. The full-service design process assessed the site to determine the ideal bridge type while limiting impact to the environment and avoiding disruptions to any culturally-sensitive resources. This effort included river hydraulic analysis and scour design as well as the geotechnical engineering and archaeological investigation. In meeting the active transportation goals of the trail system, landscape architects focused on reviewing trail alignment options, in-field direction of vegetation clearing along the preferred trail route, and construction drawings and specifications.
A decade of stream flow and water quality data collected by the County was used to develop and calibrate hydrologic and water quality models of the 12-square mile Whipple Creek basin. Using future build-out assumptions and BMP effectiveness data, stormwater management options were modeled and developed to meet existing and designated uses.
Hydrologic and Water Quality Models for a Complete Stormwater Plan
After 100 years away, Salmon returned to the Hunter Point Road culvert following its rehabilitation along with the stream it facilitates. Thanks to the investment by Thurston County, Washington, including state grants, a deep ravine and large drop downstream of the Hunter Point Road Culvert to remove a barrier to fish passage.
A Complicated Stream Restoration Design for a Top-Priority Culvert Replacement Project
Thurston County received state grants for culvert replacements, and Hunter Point Road was their highest-priority fish passage project. The project involved a new bridge and complete stream reconstruction. Complications included high road embankments, a single access road (dead end), a stream confluence immediately upstream of the crossing, and the need to provide habitat function to the stream beneath the bridge structure. After consulting with the tribes and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the team elected to include large woody debris in a variety of configurations along with specific stream bed geometries and materials. During construction, the County fish salvage team relocated approximately 500 fish from the downstream reach, indicating the high potential of future use upstream of the project. Otak structural engineers designed an 80-foot-span bridge to replace the existing four-foot-diameter culvert. Shortly after construction was complete, spawning salmon returned, after almost a century-long absence. The project represents a historic moment, and a tribute to the funding agencies and Thurston County for funding this project and hiring Otak to bring it to fruition.
Once considered the second most hazardous bridge in Oregon, Lommen Bridge in Tillamook County was at risk of collapse during an earthquake or tsunami. Its replacement represents a lasting solution, designed and constructed with a focus on environmental sustainability, for this critical connection to the region’s coast.
A Resilient, Sustainable Bridge Connection to Oregon’s Coast
A new, three-span bridge was constructed next to the existing structure that was cracking and leaning. This allowed traffic to be kept open at all times during the project. The bridge replacement was constructed as one of only two bridges in Oregon to use the latest seismic-resilient technology of lead-rubber seismic isolation bearings. The innovative project solved all of the County’s challenges while coming in under budget and also prioritizing a sustainable approach to local ecology. Otak teams were responsible for the design, construction and environmental science that resulted in the much needed Lommen Bridge replacement.
The Smith Island estuary restoration is one of the largest efforts of its kind. By removing agricultural levees and dikes—thereby reconnecting Union Slough’s historic tidal marshlands—Snohomish County created more than 300 acres of habitat for endangered Puget Sound salmon and secured the long-term well-being of its local farmers, communities, and infrastructure.
Restoring a Wetland to Expand Endangered Species Habitat and Improve Community Infrastructure
Restoration efforts involved close collaboration with a multi-agency coalition of county, state, federal, tribal, and local stakeholders to design, permit, and prepare the construction documents for this large-scale restoration project, located near Interstate 5 outside the city of Everett. The Otak-designed improvements addressed concerns related to interior drainage, saltwater intrusion, and flood protection, as well as the protection of a nearby liquified natural gas pipeline. Specific elements include safe breaching and removal of remnant dikes and agricultural drainage features, along with the installation of drainage pipes and check valves, a stormwater pump station, and a public parking area. The restored estuarial wetlands include five types of tidal channels and four types of wood structures and rock revetment for scour protection.
Willapa Bay is a significant ecological resource with a community dedicated to its restoration and conservation. Through physical investigation, modeling, alternative analysis, and design, tidal inundation to 100 acres of estuary habitat would be restored as well as fish passage to Smith Creek, a tributary to Naselle River and Willapa Bay.
Restoring a Estuary Habitat and Designing a Bridge for Climate Change Resilience
Development and levees on the Naselle River floodplain had kept juvenile salmonids from prime rearing habitat and reduced the tidal flux into Smith Creek. In addition, the crossing at the mouth of Smith Creek is formed by an embankment with two 72-inch culverts with collapsed and failing tide gates. In restoring the natural connection, the gates would be replaced with a 100-foot-span bridge to achieve unconstrained tidal flux, fish passage, and scour designs. A cross levee protects nearby private land and roads. To inform a resilient design, high-magnitude flood models were used to assess conditions resulting from climate change and mapped historical channels in the floodplain to improve salmonid habitat.
Otak carried forward a project at the 60% design phase at the site of the old Boise Cascade Mill on Pringle Creek in Salem, Oregon. Otak designed a new stream channel through this urban reach to restore a more natural stream condition and improve fish passage. We also provided large wood structures for habitat, performed restoration design calculations for bed gradation and channel geometry, and developed construction plans for the site.
Resolving Stream Issues and Fish Passage Constraints
The project was punctuated by a restricted design schedule. Otak moved quickly and used available data to begin design while additional field data was being collected. Through frequent communication with the City of Salem, Otak was able to efficiently deliver a design that met the City’s needs and within the restricted design time frame.
Dedicated to conserving and restoring Tillamook County’s estuaries and watersheds, the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is a nonprofit organization addressing the critical problems of habitat loss, decreased water quality, sedimentation, and flooding.
A Bridge Designed to Replace a Fish Barrier
In conjunction with Tillamook County Public Works and the Salmon Superhighway Partnership, the county hired Otak to lead design of a fish passage/culvert replacement project on Peterson Creek, a tributary to the Miami River on Oregon’s North Coast. A 60-foot span bridge will replace a six-foot culvert that blocks fish passage upstream, opening up several miles of potential habitat. Since this is an emergency evacuation route, the replacement structure will be constructed in stages to keep traffic and freight moving.
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