PORT ANGELES — Drivers can expect delays on parts of state Highway 112 and U.S. Highway 101 this summer as crews replace three West End culverts that restrict fish passage, state Department of Transportation officials said.
The outdated and undersized culverts will be replaced by new structures that will allow creeks to flow more naturally, officials said.
Transportation contractors will remove the old culverts as a part of a 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,” Transportation Project Engineer Jerry Moore said in a news release.
“At the same time, replacing culverts means closing lanes and detouring traffic, and we understand this will be an inconvenience for drivers.”
Highway 112
Motorists can expect around-the-clock, one-way alternating traffic and a reduced speed limit of 25 mph on state Highway 112 near Shipwreck Point as crews replace the Jansen Creek culvert between Neah Bay and Sekiu.
The work between mileposts 5.13 and 5.24 began Wednesday and will continue until the fall, said Doug Adamson, Transportation spokesman.
North of Forks
Later this month, drivers north of Forks can expect around-the-clock, one-way alternating traffic and a 25 mph speed limit on U.S. Highway 101 between mileposts 196.8 and 197.3 as crews replace the Swanson Creek culvert near Iverson Road.
The lane restriction and lowered speed limit will remain in place until the fall, Adamson said.
In July, both directions of state Highway 112 east of Pysht will detour for five straight days when the roadway is closed for culvert construction at Joe Creek.
The dates of that closure will be announced when the project schedule is finalized, Adamson said.
Unrelated to the fish passage efforts, an aging culvert under state Highway 112 near West Twin River will be replaced later this summer.
That project is expected to have minimal traffic impacts, Adamson said.
For construction updates, click on www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
