Fish and their well-being are often edged out in the narrative of urban development, but a recent project near Gig Harbor, Washington, is ensuring that aquatic life is not just an afterthought. As the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) wraps up a fish passage project, the outcome is a reconstructed stream under State Route 16 that promises to facilitate future salmon runs, as reported by the official WSDOT blog.
The project began in the fall of 2022, featuring lane shifts on SR 16 to allow crews to safely work to precisely excavate the old roadbed and install two lengthy 206-foot bridges. These efforts were necessary to replace an old culvert known to hinder fish movement. The eastbound bridge was completed in the spring of 2023, and the westbound counterpart followed suit in the summer of 2024. A partner project completed in 2023 replaced a second culvert impeding Purdy Creek with a new bridge on SR 302 Spur/Purdy Drive.
Following the bridge construction, efforts shifted toward streambed reconstruction under the highway. This work, concluded by the end of summer 2024, included realigning the creek and fortifying a new stream embankment. To enhance the habitat, crews strategically placed large tree trunks in the stream, providing safe spots for fish to rest. Once the final touches of landscaping are set in place, native plants along Purdy Creek are expected to contribute necessary nutrients for a thriving ecosystem.
The significant takeaway from this project extends beyond structural achievements—the bridges now offer unbarred passage for various life stages of salmon, ensuring they can swim upstream to their spawning grounds. Fish have begun to return, the WSDOT blog expresses, capturing this resurgence on camera. A testament to this is the recent chum salmon run, vividly showcased on the department's website.
