SILVERDALE, Wash. — The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office is investigating after "extensive damage" was discovered at a culvert construction site in Silverdale.
A retaining wall sustained structural damage after someone gained access to heavy equipment at the site on Newberry Hill Road and Sesame Street NW overnight. The road, which has been closed through the summer, is now unsafe to reopen, according to the Public Works Department.
"It's very frustrating for the contractor, Kitsap County Public Works, and the people of Kitsap who will be impacted by an extended closure of this road," said Public Works Director Andrew Nelson.
He said the damage to Seton Construction's equipment is estimated to be at least $1 million.
"They worked long hours, three day weekends to get to where we are today. They were ready to pave," Nelson said.
Crews will now have to dig under the wall to assess the damage and figure out how to repair it, he added, who estimated the work could set the county back another $500,000 to $1 million in new construction costs.
Paving at the site was set to begin Aug. 26. The road was scheduled to reopen Sept. 4 for the first day of school at Klahowya Secondary School. The county will work with the school to come up with a plan.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Detective Dekorte at 360-337-5614.
According to the sheriff's office, the person responsible could face a charge of first-degree malicious mischief.