Comprehensive inspection of Dockton Seawall prompts county to schedule immediate repairs

A recently completed inspection of the Dockton Seawall on Vashon Island has revealed worsening deterioration of some timber sections.  As a result, King County’s Road Services Division will begin making repairs to seawall sections most vulnerable to failure beginning Monday Nov. 30.

While long-term alternatives are being considered for replacing the nearly century-old stretch of seawall along Tramp Harbor, engineers found several failing sections of seawall requiring immediate attention during a comprehensive inspection last month. The inspection uncovered several rotted timber piles along 300 feet of seawall. Given the magnitude of deterioration, short-term steps must be taken to prevent failure of the seawall and damage to Dockton Road.

In order to shore up the most vulnerable sections of seawall, crews will install steel anchors to the outside face of the wall.  The anchors will serve as a temporary stopgap measure to help keep the wall from failing during major storms.

While repairs are underway, it will be necessary to close a stretch of Dockton Road between Portage Way SW. and Chautauqua Beach Road.  Closures will be limited to the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Friday to coincide with low tides. The county estimates the work will be completed by Dec 10, depending on weather and tides.

For more information about the Dockton Seawall repair project, contact Barbara DeMichele at (206) 263-3792 or email her at barbara.demichele@kingcounty.gov.