LYNDEN – Frequent travelers along State Route 539/Guide Meridian between Front and Main streets may have seen the early signs of construction at the SR 539 Duffner Ditch fish passage project site, beginning in early August. Later this month, they will detour around the site during a full closure of the roadway.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close SR 539 between Front and Main streets. A signed detour will direct travelers around the work zone until the road reopens at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21.
- Travelers heading north will take Birch Bay Lynden Road to Berthusen Road to West Main Street before rejoining SR 539.
- Travelers heading south will take Main Street to 19th Street to Front Street before rejoining SR 539. This is also the detour route for walkers and rollers.
This project will open an estimated 6 miles of habitat for native fish by replacing the existing fish barrier with a new fish-passable box culvert. Installing the new culvert requires a full closure of SR 539/Guide Meridian.
Regular project updates including the latest closures and a detour map are available on the project page. People can access WSDOT's real-time travel center and follow @wsdot_north on Twitter for more information on this project as well as additional summer construction and maintenance work in the region.