The continued discovery of early Klallam remains and artifacts in a portion of the Port Angeles graving yard property could hold up replacement of the aging Hood Canal Bridge eastern half even more, state Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald says.
“The amount of archaeological items that are in this area has caused us to wonder where we are with the 2007 replacement date,” MacDonald told Peninsula Daily News in a telephone interview Friday.
Transportation already has postponed by a year the planned replacement of the eastern half, which is now scheduled for eight weeks in spring 2007.
The area of the Port Angeles Harbor graving yard property, known as the J line, is where the shallow portion of the graving dock will connect to the upper dock area.
Construction crews are currently pouring concrete in the upper dock area to make up the floor of the graving yard, a huge onshore dry dock in which components of the floating bridge will be manufactured.
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Chairwoman Frances G. Charles said archaeologists and tribal representatives have discovered numerous human graves and remnants of several longhouse structures from the Klallam village once known as Tse-whit-zen.
“Construction has to occur at different places on the site at different times,” MacDonald said.
“The concentration of archaeology located in this area of the site is worrisome.
“A lot of the work has to happen in this area shortly to keep the construction sequence of the schedule in tact.”
Construction start
Exactly when construction has to start in the “crucial area” was not given by MacDonald.
But he said both construction and removal of Klallam artifacts and remains will continue simultaneously at the site.
Discussions about the project schedule will also continue with state, federal and tribal officials, he said.