Work continues on the North Olympic Peninsula fish barrier removal project, with state Department of Transportation officials announcing on Sept. 9 the summer 2025 work plan …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
Work continues on the North Olympic Peninsula fish barrier removal project, with state Department of Transportation officials announcing on Sept. 9 the summer 2025 work plan slated for State Route 16 where it crosses Chimacum Creek.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Ness’ Corner Road (SR 116) will be closed around the clock for up to 80 days as crews install a new, larger culvert which transportation officials say should improve fish migration under SR 116. The project includes adding natural elements such as logs and boulders, which project planners say will help slow the water, restore the creek to a more natural state and make it easier for fish to pass through the creek.
Work on Chimacum Creek will begin in the summer of 2025. Travelers and residents can expect up to an 80-day closure of SR 116 at the creek. Motorists will be detoured around the project area on Irondale Road and Chimacum Road.
Residents along the detour route should expect increased traffic volumes during the closure. Exact closure dates will be announced as the project start date nears.
In addition to the Chimacum Creek closure, the $146 million North Olympic Peninsula project includes culvert replacement on U.S. 101 at Lees Creek (milepost 250.5), U.S. 101 at Ennis Creek (milepost 250.2) and U.S. 101 at Tumwater Creek (milepost 246.4).
According to WSDOT, replacing these outdated culverts and fish ladders with new structures will open up a combined 18 miles of upstream habitat for salmon spawning and rearing. Also, this work will remove significant velocity barriers for migrating fish species. In lieu of the concrete fish ladders, the in-stream work at all sites will incorporate natural components like logs and boulders to help stabilize the new channel, provide habitat features, and restore natural stream processes that have been disrupted since the culverts were installed when the highways were first constructed.
In 2013, a federal court injunction required the state to significantly increase the state’s efforts in removing state-owned culverts that block habitat for salmon, bull trout and steelhead.
