West Seattle is getting a long heads-up about a big dig. Seattle Public Utilities plans to kick off early work later this month on the Fauntleroy Creek culvert that runs beneath 45th Avenue Southwest, but the heavy-duty, street-closing phase of the project is not slated until early 2027. This first round is mostly prep work: crews will set up the site, move utilities and stage equipment, while the major excavation and pipe replacement waits until next year. Neighbors should brace for intermittent detours, staging zones and tighter parking through the summer mobilization.
Early work and utility moves
According to Seattle Public Utilities, early work is expected to start in late June and continue into September, when crews will begin relocating overhead power lines in coordination with Seattle City Light. SPU says those first months are all about the basics: setting traffic controls, installing environmental protections and preparing access to the creek so the full replacement can move ahead safely.
When the street will close
West Seattle Blog reports SPU's announcement that the full culvert replacement will begin in early 2027 and will include a temporary closure of 45th Ave SW between SW Wildwood Pl and SW Director Pl for up to two years. That is when the real disruption starts, with crews removing the old pipe and installing a larger structure designed to allow fish to move through the creek again.
Work hours, access and impacts
According to Seattle Public Utilities, crews will generally work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Pedestrian access will be maintained when it is safe, with detours in place at other times. The agency warns of the usual construction headaches such as noise, vibration, dust and lights, and notes that temporary parking restrictions will be in effect near the project site.
Why the replacement matters
City planning documents describe the existing culvert as an aging, narrow structure that raises flood and safety concerns. The SEPA checklist from the Washington Department of Ecology lists the pipe as a roughly 24-inch-diameter, 220-foot vitrified-clay culvert under 45th Ave SW. Restoring fish passage is a central goal of the project and aligns with state efforts to remove barriers to salmon and steelhead migration, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Local outreach and next steps
Neighbors have been invited to Q&A sessions and community updates, and local coverage and the Fauntleroy Community Association have been posting schedules and project materials. For more details, see reporting by West Seattle Blog and the Fauntleroy community page at the Fauntleroy Community Association website. Expect rolling traffic advisories as mobilization ramps up, with the city posting updates on the official project page.
Timeline at a glance
Early work: late June through September 2026. Utilities relocation: beginning in September 2026. Major culvert replacement and temporary closure: early 2027 through roughly 2028. The California Ave SW phase of the Fauntleroy Creek program is not expected to start before 2028.
