Mark Clark Bridge

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The Mark Clark Bridge connects Stanwood, Washington to Camano Island and provides the only road access to the island.[1] "Built in 1949, the SR 532 General Mark W. Clark Memorial Bridge honors a decorated Army officer of World War II who earlier served at Fort Lewis. The bridge provides the only connecting route to Camano Island, which has a year round population of approximately 13,300 people and a summer population of over 17,000. The water surrounding Camano Island is too shallow for ferry service, making this bridge a critical link for island residents and visitors.[2]

[edit] The new bridge

Expected to begin in the summer of 2009, "WSDOT will begin construction on a $33 million project to replace the outdated General Mark W. Clark Memorial Bridge with a new, safer and wider bridge. The new bridge will: Measure 56 feet wide to accommodate a future four lane SR532; the bridge will be initially configured for two 12-foot lanes Match up with a realigned portion of the existing two lane highway Feature eight-foot-wide shoulders to provide bicyclists and pedestrians safer access and allow space for disabled vehicles to pull out of through lanes Meet modern earthquake safety standards Continue to accommodate marine travel on the Stillaguamish River" [2]