The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced that State Route 108 west of Kamilche will be fully closed three times to replace culverts that currently block fish from reaching their upstream habitats. In a move to aid ecological restoration, the highway will be inaccessible during specific periods throughout the summer months.
The first closure is scheduled from 8 a.m. on Monday, July 8, to the same time on Monday, July 22, between West Hurley Waldrip Road and Eich Road. The second will commence on July 26 and end on Aug. 9, just west of Eich Road. The final closure is slated for Aug. 14 to Aug. 28, at the same location. Detour routes will be signed, steering traffic to US 101, Mud Bay, and SR 8 towards McCleary, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
This interruption in travel comes as part of a broader initiative, the 2030 Fish Passage Delivery Plan, which aims to reopen 90 percent of habitat currently obstructed by culverts under state highways. These waterway barriers are recognized as detrimental to fish populations, impeding migration and spawning activities vital to ecological balance and health. The construction, involving significant excavation, must be timed to coincide with the periods least disruptive to aquatic wildlife, unfortunately aligning with peak travel times.
The Washington State Department of Transportation requests the public's "patience and understanding during each closure." By opting for total road closures, the agency justifies that this strategy will "reduce the overall timeline of construction" and minimize environmental disturbance. In its communications, WSDOT assures that the crews will operate "as quickly and as safely as possible" to expedite the process. For those affected by the roadwork, WSDOT offers a range of travel tools including a mobile app and a real-time statewide travel map available on its website.
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