Construction To Improve Fish Passage Under US 101 Near Forks In Washington

Press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation:

June 11, 2020

FORKS – Olympic Peninsula travelers will see construction kick off along US 101 south of Forks later this month. The work will improve fish migration under the highway for an unnamed tributary to the Hoh River at milepost 175.5.

Starting Monday, June 22, Interwest Construction crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin to remove and replace an outdated, 5-foot-wide, 55-foot-long culvert that has a substantial water drop, which keeps fish from continuing upstream. Crews will replace it with a 16-foot-wide, 60-foot-long, concrete box-culvert in the creek for salmon and resident fish.

This work is part of WSDOT’s Fish Passage Barrier Removal Program.

During construction, travelers will encounter one-way alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph and enforceable once signs are posted.

“Removal of this barrier will result in nearly two miles of potential spawning habitat and recreate a more natural streambed,” said WSDOT Port Angeles Project Engineer Dan McKernan, who is overseeing the work.

Travelers should plan for minor delays. Workers will accommodate first responders through the work zone. Most work is expected to be completed later this fall.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead by signing up for WSDOT email alerts in Clallam and Jefferson Counties and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

This press release was produced by the Washington State Department of Transportation. The views expressed here are the author’s own.