Project overview
This project will remove three barriers to fish passage along two Unnamed Tributaries to Silver Lake and an Unnamed Tributary to Penny Creek under Interstate 5 near 112th Street Southeast in Everett. Contractor crews working for WSDOT will remove existing culverts and replace them with fish-passable structures. These new structures have the potential to open more than three miles of habitat for coho salmon and steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.
What to expect
WSDOT will select a qualified design-build contractor to complete the design of the fish-passable structures for UNT to Penny Creek and Silver Lake under I-5. This project is combined into a single contract with other fish passage projects on State Route 524 and SR 525. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in mid to late 2027 and interstate closure needs will be determined by the type of structures and construction method proposed by the contractor. Lane reductions on I-5 are expected to be necessary during certain periods of construction.
While the timing of culvert construction largely depends on the contractor, we anticipate construction on I-5 could take two to three years. The exact dates and details of travel impacts will be announced closer to the start of construction.
This project will improve fish passage under I-5 near 112th Street Southeast in Everett.
At I-5, three culverts will be removed in Everett. Two culverts, both named Unnamed Tributaries to Silver Lake and one culvert named Unnamed Tributary to Penny Creek will be replaced.
- The southern Unnamed Tributary to Silver Lake flows through a three-foot diameter concrete culvert and is not passable for fish because the culvert is too high, preventing fish from traveling upstream and causing juvenile fish to fall from the culvert. Removing the barrier will open more than one mile of habitat for coho salmon and steelhead and resident trout.
- The northern Unnamed Tributary to Silver Lake flows through a three-foot diameter concrete culvert and is not passable for fish because the water flows at too high of a velocity. Removing the barrier will open more than one mile of habitat for coho salmon and steelhead and resident trout.
- Unnamed Tributary to Penny Creek flows through a three-foot diameter concrete culvert and is not passable for fish because the slope of the culvert is too steep for fish to swim up. Removing the barrier will open up more than one mile of habitat for coho salmon and steelhead and resident trout.
When finished, the new structures will open more than three miles of fish habitat. This project is part of our fish passage program. Replacing the existing culverts and rebuilding the stream channels expands healthy fish habitat; an important step in restoring fish runs and increasing populations. This benefits commercial seafood operations and recreational fishers and provides more food for a declining orca population. Additionally, replacing these fish barriers helps us meet our obligation to remove barriers under the 2013 U.S. District Court injunction.
