Shoreline restoration begins near the Mercer Island Boat Launch

Shoreline restoration has begun on the Mercer Island side of Lake Washington's East Channel. Crews are surveying the area and filling in all excavated areas with sand and gravel material. Crews will install plants on land and logs along the shoreline. This serves as a wildlife habitat while protecting the area from erosion.

Restoration on the Mercer Island shoreline is planned to continue through late March. 

                                 

Pipe installed in Lake Washington’s East Channel

Barges have been staged in the East Channel since summer 2023, while crews installed pipes under the lakebed. In mid-March, the large barge and other work materials will leave the East Channel. Towards the end of March, a smaller barge will temporarily move into the East Channel to deliver and install shoreline restoration materials. The turbidity curtain that protects the water and aquatic life from construction impacts will be removed this spring once restoration is complete.

The installation of the pipe in the East Channel is a major milestone for the project! Thank you for your patience during construction as we complete this critical wastewater system upgrade.

Expect single lane alternating traffic with boat launch access maintained

In the coming months, expect flaggers and single lane alternating traffic on the road to the Mercer Island boat launch due to nearby pipe installation and construction around the boat launch. Boaters and other community members will continue to be able to access the boat launch. Please follow all directions from crews.