Travelers along US 101 between Sequim and Gardiner will see progress as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced the completion of four out of six bridges in a key fish barrier removal project.
The latest bridge, located just east of Gardiner, was opened to traffic last Wednesday, as stated in a WSDOT press release. This project aims to improve traffic flow in northwestern Washington and restore a more natural habitat for fish passage. By July, all remaining structures are expected to be fully operational, allowing for improved fish migration beneath.
This initiative began last April over Contractors Creek, where a culvert that disrupted fish migrations was replaced with a more durable, eco-friendly bridge. Drivers will notice improved visibility and a straighter roadway, enhancing this section of the highway.
The final two bridge sites are still under construction, with WSDOT expecting them to be ready by the summer. Earlier successes include the completion of bridges over Eagle Creek, Chicken Coop Creek, and an unnamed tributary to Sequim Bay, with work finished between August 2023 and November 2024. Although major roadwork is nearing completion, efforts to remove old highway sections and restore the creek environments through replanting will continue.
WSDOT will continue to provide updates to the public and minimize travel disruptions, offering real-time travel information through their app and statewide travel map, as well as targeted email updates for ongoing projects in Jefferson and Clallam counties.
