Adventure awaits around the Olympic Peninsula even with road construction

By Doug Adamson

If nature is your happy place, you may be planning a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula this summer. Whether you are looking to camp, hike or simply relax on the beach, we have important information to help get you there.

We are in year two of a multi-year project that corrects culverts under state highways along the west side of the Olympic Peninsula. The culverts are barriers to fish. They are located under SR 109 and US 101 in Grays Harbor, Jefferson and Clallam counties. From Forks to Hoquiam or Ocean Shores to Pacific Beach, travelers will be navigating around numerous work zones this summer.

Lots of heavy lifting is needed to remove barriers to fish. Workers have dug up
the existing highway and demolished the old culvert.

Communities remain open, businesses accessible

Travelers will still reach their destinations and we will keep people moving during construction. Just plan a bit of extra time and know you'll be able to get where you're going.

There are typically two ways we keep people moving during fish passage projects. One is the “get in-get out” approach. This method involves closing a section of highway. We work with local partners to arrange the best detour route possible for each location. This approach can be more disruptive to travel in the short term, but it means we can get the work done faster.

Another approach is to build temporary lanes or roads within a work zone to move travelers around the closure area. With this approach, temporary signals also may be used to alternate travel lanes depending on traffic volumes. This usually means the work will take a little longer, but it keeps the road open so travelers can still use it the whole time.

Bottom line, you'll be able to get to your destination this summer, eat at your favorite restaurant, shop at your favorite store, hike your favorite trail or fly a kite at your favorite beach. We've worked with our contractors to reduce overall construction timelines and provide alternate routes or temporary lanes around work zones.

We also recognize the inconvenience road construction brings, especially during summer (more on that below in this blog). We've created an online open house for construction on the Olympic Peninsula to help you plan your trip. Real-time information is available on our travel center map and our app.

Here's an overview of upcoming detours and work zone set ups on SR 109 and US 101 for summer 2024:

Work on SR 109 – get in-get out approach

People who use SR 109 between Hoquiam, Ocean Shores and Pacific Beach will use detour routes while a total closure of the road is in place in 5 separate locations. A total closure will often shorten the overall construction timeline and help minimize the environmental footprint. That's why we're getting the word out about a series of total road closures on SR 109. The timing of each total closure will vary based on progress of work. More information is available on the project website.

Lots of work is planned in a short period of time on SR 109. Detours will keep
people moving around each road closure. 

Removing barriers to fish under state highways is far from easy. While the road is closed, crews dig up the highway at the culvert site to remove smaller sized culverts that block fish migration. Workers install a large concrete structure that allows fish to swim under the highway. Once crews install a new concrete culvert, workers repave and reopen the highway.

Temporary lanes and signals along US 101

We are using temporary lanes and traffic signals at six fish passage sites in Jefferson and Clallam counties. A new project on US 101 at the county line started in March. Work is also now underway at five additional sites. We are replacing outdated culverts under the highway between Ruby Beach and Lake Crescent. You'll also see a reduced speed limit of 25 mph at each work zone. It's important to slow down and pay attention in these areas to keep workers and all roadway users safe.

Each work zone will have traffic signals that alternates travelers through a temporary detour road. 

Types of structures

Most of the sites along US 101 and SR 109 will have new concrete box culverts installed. Box culverts are pre-cast, meaning they are built at a separate location and brought in by trucks. In some cases, installing a box culvert can be done within several weeks during the time crews are allowed to work in the water.

At two of the locations, we are building full-span bridges. Bridges are built on-site and can take from several months to years to complete. This is why you will see work at the site east of Forks in summer 2025. The work zone south of Forks at the Jefferson-Clallam county line will remain in place through the end of 2026.

Existing culverts are pipes or tunnel-like structures that channel water under the roadway. These older culverts were designed before we fully understood the effects they would have on habitat. Over time, we have found that the culverts prevent fish movement. Now we are working to fix that by building larger culverts or bridge structures designed to meet the needs of fish. These structures are also resilient to future changes. We are restoring fish habitats and opening miles of waterways for fish to thrive, reproduce, and find food and shelter.

Two final products after construction. One is a bridge that carries travelers
over the creek (top). The other is a large concrete box (bottom). 

How do we decide to use a detour or build a bypass lane

A number of factors are considered when deciding how to keep people moving around work zones using a closure with a detour or building temporary lanes. This includes:

• The time-of-day crews are permitted to work is one. If they are limited to daytime work only, that means the project will take longer.
• Lay of the land or topography. We look at whether there is room for temporary lanes.
• Nearby infrastructure such as utilities.
• traffic volumes
• environmental factors such as endangered animals and plants.

At some of the sites, crews can only work during the day. This is due to an endangered bird, the marbled murrelet, nesting in nearby trees. Work hours are limited to two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.

In addition to guidelines related to endangered species, these projects are beneficial to other wildlife apart from fish. Replacing narrow culverts with more expansive bridge-like structures provides space for land animals to pass under the highway. We have seen these animals at some locations crossing under the new structures instead of in the roadway. Reducing conflicts with wild animals and vehicles is one way to help reduce collisions.

Why is the work happening during summer travel season

We can only work in the water when its least disruptive to aquatic life. This is often called a 'fish window' or 'in-water-work window.' This is why work is taking place during the busy summer travel season. We are also facing a deadline to get the work completed.

All 11 culvert locations are part of WSDOT's 2030 Fish Passage Delivery Plan to open 90 percent of habitat blocked by culverts beneath state highways. During summer 2023, we removed barriers to fish at six locations under US 101 between Hoquiam and Humptulips.

Each project also is part of WSDOT's ongoing effort to comply with a 2013 U.S. District Court injunction to correct barriers to salmon and steelhead in western Washington.

Our crews really appreciate your patience and kindness on the roads.

Whenever near work zones please:

• Slow down – drive the posted speeds, they're there for your safety and the safety of our workers.
• Be kind – our workers are out there helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways.
• Pay attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic.
• Stay calm – leave early; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone's life.