Plan for delays as a temporary bypass and one-way alternating traffic go into effect for four months
QUILCENE – Travelers on US 101 north of Quilcene in Jefferson County will want to plan extra time for their trips during the next four months.
Beginning Friday, April 7, travelers will experience around-the-clock, one-way alternating traffic controlled by a signal on US 101 about 5 miles north of Quilcene at Leland Creek. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will shift traffic onto a bypass around the construction zone that will allow crews to begin removing culverts under the roadway that cause barriers to native fish.
Project details and future closures
Crews are replacing outdated barriers that block fish from continuing upstream at three locations on US 101. Crews will build a bridge on the highway just north of Rice Lake Road and install two larger box culverts at the north and south unnamed tributaries.
In addition to the temporary traffic changes, WSDOT will fully close US 101 for four weeks between mid-July and mid-August while crews construct the new box culverts. During the closure, traffic will detour around the project via Center Road. Freight haulers will need to detour via State Route 3 and SR 104 due to weight restrictions on the Little Quilcene Bridge.
Improving fish passage
The construction is part of WSDOT's program to remove barriers to fish under state highways.
The new bridge at Leland Creek will improve fish migration by opening 14 miles of upstream habitat. The new box culverts at the north and south tributaries will produce nearly 4 miles of upstream habitat. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2024.
Travelers are encouraged to sign up for email updates for projects in Clallam and Jefferson counties. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT app and travel center map.