by guest blogger Steve Peer

Crews install a section of culvert during another fish-friendly project.  Our culvert is similar…but twice as large!

Throughout the Puget Sound region, many culverts and drainage systems inhibit fish access to area waterways. Over the years, we have been working to replace the antiquated systems with new fish-friendly ones.  Panther Creek, which flows under SR 167 in Renton, is next to undergo an upgrade. To accomplish the work, we’ll completely close down a section of freeway for an entire weekend.  Crews will dig a 65-foot wide and 35-foot deep trench for the new culvert. Crews will then install a 19-foot wide pipe that will make passing through the culvert easier for fish and other aquatic wildlife. In addition to providing fish access, the project will lay the groundwork for future SR 167 improvements and help reduce seasonal flooding to properties west of SR 167.
                                                           
Although there never a good time to close a busy highway, we chose this weekend in August to make the most of the dry, warm weather, and light summer traffic.
                                                                                                     
Closure Details
For 58 hours, spanning from 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 10 to 5 a.m. on Monday, August 13, we’ll close SR 167 between I-405 and the S. 180th Street/SW 43rd Street exit to the IKEA district.

What should you do?

• Know Before You Go: check our website, call 511 for real-time travel information and plan for delays and added travel time.
• Delay discretionary trips, especially during high traffic periods, such as between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. 
• Anticipate heavy congestion on alternate routes such as I-405, I-5 and SR 181. 
• Expect increased congestion on local streets, especially on Lind Avenue, South 180th Street, South Grady Way, Rainier Avenue South, Talbot Road, and SR 181/West Valley Highway.  
• Carpool and use transit. Here are some links to help you plan your trip: 
• King County Metro 
• Sound Transit 
• RideshareOnline.com 
• Google trip planner

The SR 167 closure isn’t the only large project shutting down a highway during the weekend.  Crews in Bellevue will also install a fish-friendly culvert resulting in a 55 hour weekend closure of SR 520.  For the latest on the regional closures, please check out our What’s Happening Now page.