From a lumber mill to a beach and marina

Opportunity

For almost a century, from the late 1800s to the late 1970s, a lumber mill and then a paper mill operated on Fidalgo Bay in Anacortes, Washington. Turning this heavily used industrial site into a recreational site presented a challenge.

Solution

Mott MacDonald performed coastal engineering services as part of the complex cleanup project. We restored a beach area that contained contaminants and protected the upper shoreline with natural beach material.

Our engineers also designed a recreational beach, rock breakwaters and revetment, concrete access pier, and small craft boating facility.

Outcome

Thanks to an aggressive schedule and round-the-clock work, the restoration of the Port of Anacortes was completed in about 36 months, versus up to 15 years for a typical similar cleanup project.