Trestle work started

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Working from a barge next to the Fidalgo Bay trestle, a crew from Culbertson Marine started work Thursday on removing pilings and timbers damaged in an October fire on the trestle. 

Owner Andy Culbertson has agreed to do the demolition and mitigation work at a substantial discount, according to city Parks Director Gary Robinson. He said Culbertson offered to do the work for $40,000. Robinson said the city had estimated the work would cost over $100,000. The Anacortes Parks foundation is paying for the work now under way.

The city has estimated total cost for repairing the trestle could hit $400,000. The City and the Samish Indian Nation hope to have the trestle re-opened by April. The trestle has been a popular walking and biking route since it opened about 3 years ago.

Robinson said the demolition & mitigation work will consist of removing or sawing the tops off pilings that were damaged in the fire. The fire damaged as much as 400 feed of the trestle portion of the tommy Thompson Trail on October 6.

The Anacortes Police say the suspect the fire was the work of an arsonist, but have not determined the exact cause. The Anacortes Parks Foundation is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the fire. They ask that anyone with information icall the Anacortes Police Department tip line at 299-1985.

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