Two lanes of US 101 west of Port Angeles back open after completion of fish habitat restoration project
PORT ANGELES – Traffic is flowing simultaneously in both directions again on US 101 west of Port Angeles. Fish also have more room to swim in Indian Creek with the recent completion of a fish barrier removal project.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation have finished final paving and striping. That work was the last step of a project that improves more than 11 miles of habitat for Chinook, sockeye, coho, bull trout and steelhead salmon.
Crews removed and replaced an outdated culvert with a 180-foot-long concrete bridge. Biologists previously suggested the culvert was only 30 percent passable. The channel will now simulate what is found in a natural stream and remove a barrier to fish passage.
While most of the work is complete, travelers may notice additional work activities off the highway, including landscaping.
About Indian Creek
Indian Creek is about 10 miles west of Port Angeles in Clallam County near the Elwha River. Indian Creek is a tributary to the Elwha River.
Improving fish passage
State highways cross streams and rivers in thousands of places in Washington state, which can impede fish migration. This project is part WSDOT’s program to remove barriers to fish under state highways.
Meanwhile, WSDOT’s commitment to fish barrier removal continues in other locations. Visit our online open house to learn more about construction planned in Clallam and Jefferson counties.