Project news

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Why did WSDOT barriers to fish on Coffee Creek?

WSDOT is under a federal court injunction to remove state-owned culverts that block habitat for salmon and steelhead. Coffee Creek previously had several barriers to fish as the creek once flowed under both directions of US 101 as well as both on- and off-ramps at the US 101/West Shelton/Matlock interchange.

The End Result

In this project, crews improved fish habitat by realigning Coffee Creek on a relatively parallel path west of US 101, under West Shelton Matlock Road and into Goldsborough Creek. Crews also improved driver access to and from US 101 by changing the alignment of the ramps.

Needs & benefits

The existing stream channel was graded to simulate a natural streambed which opened over 13 miles of potential upstream habitat for salmon and steelhead. This habitat improvement was accomplished by slowing the velocity of the stream during times of high water and providing a deeper channel during times of low flowing water.

Additionally, native vegetation was planted along the stream banks to restore a natural stream environment.

In addition, crews also made interchange enhancements to the southbound US 101 exit to City Center/Matlock and the West Shelton Matlock Road on-ramp to southbound US 101. Both ramps were rebuilt into a diamond interchange similar to both the northbound US 101 exit and on-ramp.

Timeline

Preliminary design - winter 2018
Construction - summer 2019
Project completion - Late fall 2020