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• This project was awarded to Hamilton Construction Co. on Aug. 22, 2017.
• Construction begins on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017
   

In fall 2017, crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin work to remove and replace an aging culvert under State Route 504, between mileposts 16.99 and 17.01, in Cowlitz County.

This project will remove the existing damaged and aging 54-inch culvert and construct a 20-foot span bridge, on SR 504. 

The construction of the bridge on SR 504 and will allow the stream water to flow under the highway, as well as accommodate fish passage.

During heavy seasonal rain storms, the existing culvert becomes a choke point and water flows over the roadway. With the installation of the bridge, water will flow under the roadway, creating a safer roadway surface for drivers.

Why is WSDOT removing the Wooster Creek fish barrier on SR 504?
The existing culvert is a barrier to fish. Water flows are occasionally too low or too strong for fish to navigate upstream. By installing a bridge, it will allow the creek to flow more naturally under the highway and improve the fish habitat in the area.

The End Result
Once complete, the new bridge will help restore the creek bed to a natural state and improve fish passage for local migratory fish.

Additionally, it will provide better drainage for storm water during heavy rainstorm events.

Needs & benefits

• Protects Environment: Improving fish passage by opening up the stream creates an additional fish habitat.
• Improves Safety: Replacing the culvert with a concrete bridge span lessens erosion around roads by providing better drainage.
• Reduce Costly Repairs: Replacing the culvert with a concrete bridge span will reduce the cost of emergency maintenance repairs.

During construction, drivers will be shifted to the north side of the highway, onto a temporary single-lane, bypass road. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary automated signal.

Timeline

• Summer 2017: Project was awarded to Hamilton Construction Co. on Aug. 22, 2017
• Fall 2017: Construction begins Oct. 2, 2017
• Fall 2018: Project scheduled for completion