Projects restore fish habitat underneath state highways

Outdated and undersized culverts beneath State Route 112 and US 101 in Clallam County will soon make way for new structures that allow creeks to flow more naturally.

Contractors for the Washington State Department of Transportation will remove three culverts this summer as part of the federal court ruling to correct fish barriers that cross state highways.

“This work goes a long way to help open stream access for fish habitat,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Jerry Moore. “At the same time, replacing culverts means closing lanes and detouring traffic, and we understand this will be an inconvenience for drivers.”

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead for delays while contractors route traffic around each work zone. This work must be done during the seasonal “fish window,” an environmentally-permitted timeframe that reduce influences on wildlife.

SR 112 – Jansen Creek

Beginning in mid-June, drivers near Shipwreck Point (mileposts 5.13 – 5.24) can expect around-the-clock one-way alternating traffic and a reduced speed limit of 25 mph. The lane restrictions and lowered speed limit will remain in place until this fall.

US 101 – Swanson Creek

Later in June, drivers north of Forks can expect around-the-clock one-way alternating traffic on US 101 (mileposts 196.8 – 197.3) and a reduced speed limit of 25 mph. The lane restriction and lowered speed limit will remain in place until this fall.

SR 112 – Joe Creek

In July, both directions of SR 112 east of Pysht will detour for five consecutive days when the roadway is closed for construction. The dates of the closure will be announced when the project schedule is finalized. Traffic will also alternate through a single lane approaching the work zone.

Unrelated to these three fish passage efforts, an aging culvert under SR 112 near the West Twin River also will be replaced later this summer. This fourth culvert project is expected to have minimal effects on traffic.