A public hearing at the San Juan County Council discussed a Deer Harbor bridge condemnation at their meeting Sept. 29. San Juan County Public Works Department presented their process on the bridge replacement and brought up the use of eminent domain to obtain part of a property in order to widen the road that connects to the new bridge that will be 28 feet wide.

The wooden bridge, built in 1971, has been given a 11.75 rating out of 100 in terms of its sufficiency rating.

The use of eminent domain in Washington is only when it can be proven that the property is for public use, in this case a public bridge. The landowners of the property, Bob and Meg Connor, will receive $70,000 in compensation. According to councilman Rick Hughes, the landowners supported the move, and the route of eminent domain was only used in order to clear the land title.

According to the  County Public Works Department the bridge replacement has been in the process for approximately six years. The construction of the bridge will also bring estuary restoration into play to assist salmon spawning in the area.

According to Colin Huntemer, project manager, the bid for contractors will be advertised in December or January, with construction to begin as early as March 2016.