The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is calling on the public to weigh in on upcoming fish barrier removal projects around Poulsbo and Silverdale, with efforts slated to begin in 2027, according to a report from WSDOT. The planned construction, which aims to replace six fish barriers beneath Bond Road/State Route 307 and SR 308 with fish-friendly passages, would necessitate road closures and detours, details of which are up for public discussion at both online and in-person open houses.
With closures on the horizon, WSDOT has proposed signed detours to guide traffic around construction zones where a section of the roadway will be torn out and replaced with culverts or bridges that allow for fish passage. This process is meant to improve the natural habitat and environmental conditions for local aquatic life. The agency is reaching out for public feedback on potential detours through an online open house available until Thursday, June 26, which can be accessed at any time and encourages citizens to leave their comments when it best suits their schedules.
Those interested in a more personal dialogue can attend one of two in-person events, the first being held on June 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at North Kitsap High School Commons, located at 1780 NE Hostmark St. Poulsbo, WA 98370. Another session will take place on June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hilder Pearson Elementary School Gym at 15650 Central Valley Road NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370, both locations offering the same information readily available online.
For those without internet, WSDOT has underscored free, temporary internet access offered by the Department of Commerce's Drive-In WiFi Hotspot, though it's also available at various Kitsap Regional Library branches such as 700 NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo, WA 98370, and 3650 NW Anderson Hill Road, Suite 101, Silverdale, WA 98383 to facilitate participation in the online open house.
