Project overview
This project addressed barriers to fish in Victor Creek under SR 302 near the Mason/Pierce County line.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife identified this site as a barrier to salmon migration and other resident fish species.
What to expect
In December 2025, crews completed major construction efforts to improve access to potential fish habitat under SR 302 in Victor Creek.
Completed work
During summer 2025, crews removed two outdated culvert that were barriers to fish in Victor Creek on SR 302. Victor Creek is located in Mason County beneath SR 302 just north of East Highlander Drive at milepost 4.15.
During construction, a temporary single-lane bypass road with traffic signals kept people moving through the work zone. The new 42-foot-long bridge over Victor Creek opened in September. Crews continued creek restoration off the roadway through late fall.
Why this work is needed
A fish passage barrier is anything that hinders fish from moving upstream or downstream. Culverts or pipes under the roadway allow water to flow but may not allow fish to swim through. Culverts may block fish migration because the water flow is too swift, too shallow, or has a waterfall into or out of the culvert.
Since 1991, WSDOT has worked to improve fish passage and foster healthy waterways. This is done by removing barriers that keep fish and other aquatic species from moving under the state highway.
WSDOT is under a federal court injunction. The injunction required a significant increase in state efforts to remove culverts under state highways that block salmon and steelhead habitat.