The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun replacing the deteriorated perimeter steel sheet pile wall at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund site on Bainbridge Island.

The work is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s long-term effort to clean contaminated groundwater, soil and sediments at the site, per a news release. The replacement perimeter wall will protect the Puget Sound and allow EPA to complete cleanup.

“As the nation’s engineers, we provide technical and engineering expertise to other federal agencies, and at Wyckoff, we’ve supported EPA with their cleanup mission for decades,” said Seattle District Deputy Commander Maj. Joseph O’Donnell­­.

The Superfund site, located on the east side of BI, includes the former Wyckoff Company wood treatment facility and subtidal/intertidal sediments in Eagle Harbor. The city of BI plans to convert Wyckoff into a usable public park with beach access.

“Once complete, this project will expand public access on Bainbridge Island and protect critical habitat,” said EPA regional administrator Emma Pokon.

The $63,206,673 contract, which was awarded Sept. 3, 2024, is scheduled to be completed in April 2028.

Decades of exposure to natural elements led portions of the existing wall to deteriorate, per the release. The replacement perimeter wall will be made of reinforced concrete (a mixture of soil in situ with a cement-bentonite grout). Most of the construction will be on the inland side of the existing wall and will not be visible until the existing sheet pile wall is removed.

For more information on the Wyckoff Superfund site, visit epa.gov/wyckoff-eagle-harbor.