PORT ANGELES — The 35 archaeologists and 35 Lower Elwha Klallam tribal workers removing human remains and Native American artifacts from the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard are working overtime to finish before Sept. 24.
They are working 10-hour days six days a week beginning last week.
“We added a work day last Monday and increased workers’ hours to try to finish the excavation,” said Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Chairwoman Frances G. Charles.
“We are working as fast as we can, but continue to find additional remains.”
To date, 160 fully intact skeletons and 440 partial remains have been unearthed from the state Department of Transportation’s 22-acre property, Charles said.
Transportation officials are targeting the archeological excavation, estimated to cost $4.6 million, to end Sept. 24 to allow for full construction of the graving dock to resume.
The dig, which began in April, was originally expected to be completed July 23.
‘Think creatively’
“Through this entire process, people have continued to think creatively and look for ways to make progress around the archaeological excavation,” said Transportation spokesman Lloyd Brown.
He said that despite extending the dig by two months, the eastern half of the floating bridge is still on schedule for replacement during spring 2007.
“Construction of the graving dock is continuing to move forward alongside the archaeological work,” Charles said.
“The tribe understands the importance of repairing the Hood Canal Bridge — we, too, depend on the bridge.”
