Closures planned on highways near Port Ludlow as work kicks off to remove two fish barriers

PORT LUDLOW – Efforts to restore fish habitat back to a more natural state has begun on State Route 104 and SR 19 in Jefferson County.

Today, Tuesday, May 30, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation began a summer-long project that will replace two fish barriers with new fish-passable structures.

SR 104 Shine Creek

Crews will build a two-lane bypass roadway around the work zone on SR 104 between South Point Road and SR 19. The bypass is expected to be open July 21. Until then, travelers will see intermittent one-way alternating traffic during nighttime or off-peak hours.

SR 19 Swansonville Creek

SR 19 between Egg and I and Swansonville roads will close for ten days after Labor Day weekend. WSDOT will announce the specific dates and times for this work later this summer. During the closure, travelers will use Center Road to detour around the project area.

About the project

Both culverts will be replaced with 18-foot-wide, three-sided fish-passable structures. Fish will be able to pass through both creeks more easily. The water will be slower and simulate a natural creek environment.

The construction is part of WSDOT’s program to improve fish habitat under state highways.

Travelers can sign up for email alerts for construction in Jefferson and Clallam Counties. Find the latest information about highway closures on the WSDOT app and the WSDOT statewide travel map.

Slow down – lives are on the line. 

In 2023, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Fatal work zone crashes doubled in 2023 - Washington had 10 fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.