Replace two undersized 3-FT corrugated culverts on the indian mary springs, a tributary to the columbia river in the columbia river gorge in skamania county, washington

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Cowlitz Indian Tribe $550,000 under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) on August 22, 2025, to replace two undersized 3-foot corrugated culverts on Indian Mary Springs, a tributary to the Columbia River located in the Columbia River Gorge in Skamania County, Washington. The project, with an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2030, will be executed in partnership with BNSF Railways and involves removing the existing culverts and associated ballast/fill material at the railway crossing, followed by installation of a new 90-foot steel bridge crossing. This infrastructure improvement addresses fish passage barriers and supports environmental restoration objectives consistent with the tribe's documented expertise in salmon habitat recovery and fish passage improvement initiatives.

The Highway Planning and Construction program provides federal financial assistance for highway and related transportation infrastructure improvements, including bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects that enhance environmental compliance and multimodal connectivity. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribal government located in southwestern Washington, is an established federal grant recipient with demonstrated capabilities in environmental and transportation infrastructure development, making it well-positioned to deliver this culvert replacement and bridge installation project.

The tribe, in partnership with bnsf railways, proposes to remove the indian mary springs culverts and associated ballast/fill material at a bnsf railway crossing, and install a new 90-foot steel bridge crossing.