Final work to improve fish habitat in Chico Creek at State Route 3 and Chico Way Northwest

 By Mark Krulish

We’re nearing the end of a big fish passage project in Kitsap County. Over the past three years, our contractor, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, has been hard at work at Chico Creek. Culverts at the creek and its tributary, located south of Silverdale, were barriers to fish migration.

This fish barrier removal project opens about 21 miles of potential fish habitat near State Route 3 and Chico Way Northwest. Completing this summer’s scheduled in-water work will bring us closer to the finish line.

Before the project, there were multiple barriers to fish near and under SR 3 at Chico Way Northwest.

The project built new bridges on SR 3 and Chico Way Northwest to create more room for Chico Creek and the tributary.

What we’ve accomplished so far

When finished, this project will create more room for fish migration. Creek water will have more space to flow beneath the roadway. This improves fish passage and access to spawning habitat for native fish species.

How did we do this? We removed the old culverts and built new, wider bridges over the creek. We realigned the on- and off-ramps from southbound SR 3 to Chico Way Northwest to make more room for Chico Creek. This is because Chico Creek now flows beneath SR 3 instead of through smaller culverts.

All major construction on the project is complete. Here’s what our crews have accomplished:

• Realigned southbound SR 3 on- and off-ramps to Chico Way Northwest to accommodate the new bridges on SR 3 and Chico Way Northwest.
• Built a wider bridge on SR 3 that provides fish access to Chico Bay.
• Built an elevated bridge on Chico Way Northwest, creating an easier crossing and improved habitat for fish in the tributary.
• Eliminated fish barriers by rerouting the creek and tributary.

Once the project is completed, fish will have access to 21 miles of potential habitat and an improved connection to Chico Creek and Chico Bay.

The finishing touches of the project

Wow, that’s a lot of work already done! If you’re just driving along the highway, you might not see much activity. That’s because the big work is happening down in the water.

However, there is still important work going on underneath the roadways. Construction crews are excavating the new and enhanced alignment for Chico Creek. Once that’s complete, crews will connect the tributary to the enhanced creek.

While crews complete this work, travelers using the Chico Way interchange can expect occasional nighttime ramp and single lane closures through Fall 2024. When we do have these closures, travelers can expect them to happen at the following times:

• The Chico Way Northwest on-ramp to southbound SR 3 closes from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Northbound SR 3 exit to Chico Way Northwest closes from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• During weekend mornings, ramps reopen as late as 10 a.m.
• SR 3 single lane closures may begin as early as 7 p.m.

Protecting fish during in-water work

We can only work in the water during a certain time of year. It’s usually in the summer. We call this the “fish window.” We worked with the Suquamish Tribe and Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify this fish window. It’s the time of year when fish will be least active in the waterway.

We only work during the fish window in order to protect fish during their spawning season. This allows native fish, like salmon, to safely travel upstream to spawn.

During the fish window this summer, crews will safely relocate any fish remaining in the stream, then reroute and connect the new stream alignments. The new alignment will include updated natural streambeds with more space and improved habitat for fish and other wildlife.

What’s next

Crews will complete nearly all project work by the end of 2024, with some final tasks lasting through March 2025. One of the final tasks is filling in the old culverts. Crews will fill in the old culverts instead of removing them. This approach reduces roadway construction and makes it possible to restore a more natural alignment for the creek and tributary.

The old culvert is a barrier to fish passage. The entire culvert is a barrier as it reduces the habitat available for fish. There is also a steep drop off on the other end. Crews rerouted Chico Creek to make it easier for fish to reach Chico Bay and its tributary.

Visit the project website for more information, to sign up for email updates, and to learn more about other fish barrier removal projects in the state.