PORT ANGELES — The state Department of Transportation is still working to clean up damage that the late November bomb cyclone caused to roadways on the west end of Clallam County.
The largest cleanup project for the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is on state Highway 112 near milepost 5.5, where Steve Roark, WSDOT’s regional administrator, said fallen debris has closed off an entire lane of traffic.
Some of the challenges WSDOT has faced include limited maintenance funds, Roark told the three Clallam County commissioners at their Monday work session.
Other scheduled projects include the preservation and maintenance of Highway 112, which is slated to get underway next summer at about $9.5 million.
WSDOT also will remove the old Elwha Bridge next summer due to fish window timing. The new Elwha Bridge has been fully open to traffic since July.
Downtown Port Angeles will see several fish barrier projects started next year.
For Tumwater Creek’s fish barrier removal, WSDOT plans to have a “pretty significant detour” on U.S. Highway 101, Roark said. He predicted that detour would happen between March and May, although the contractor hasn’t nailed down a date.
Fish barriers also will be removed at Lee’s and Ennis creeks, although WSDOT plans to maintain two lanes of traffic. That project likely will begin in February and go until fall 2026.
While WSDOT plans for its upcoming projects, it is also waiting for the next legislative session to deliver its new transportation budget.
Based on November’s revenue forecast, Roark said WSDOT could be facing a budget that is $2 billion light in terms of meeting all its commitments over the next two years.
To adequately fund everything, Roark said the Legislature likely will either have to find additional revenue sources or stretch out projects “to let that revenue catch up.”
“We stand ready here at the department to execute whatever transportation budget comes out in April,” Roark said.
While it is waiting for the transportation budget to be developed, Roark said WSDOT is gearing up for winter operations and financially prioritizing its remaining funding to respond to snow and ice.
“We’re crossing our fingers for a nice, mild winter,” Roark said. “But, if that doesn’t happen, we certainly have the resources to take care of the snow and ice.”
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsualdailynews.com.
