Project overview
Reconnecting waterways where roads act as barriers is a priority for the state. In western Washington, this means building hundreds of fish passage structures under state highways to create habitat that is essential for meeting fish recovery goals.
A culvert under State Route 524 in Lynnwood is a barrier to fish migration through Scriber Creek. As early as spring 2033, a Design-Builder working for WSDOT will replace the culvert and rebuild the stream to reopen habitat and restore fish populations.
What to expect
WSDOT will select a qualified design-build contractor to complete the design of the fish passable structures for Scriber Creek. This project is combined into a single contract with a fish passage project on Interstate 5. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in spring 2033. Highway closure needs will be determined by the type of structures and construction method proposed by the Design-Builder. Lane reductions will likely be necessary during select periods of construction in order to build the new culvert structure under SR 524.
While the timing of culvert construction largely depends on the Design-Builder, we anticipate construction could occur periodically over the span of 2 to 3 years. The exact dates and details of construction impacts will be announced closer to construction.
We will post important project updates as work progresses to our social media channels and weekly traffic news email once construction is underway.
By building a new fish passage under SR 524, we can return Scriber Creek to its natural stream conditions and open important spawning habitat to help several species recover.
Culvert 993103 conveys Scriber Creek underneath SR 524 (196th Street SW), which is a major east-west traffic corridor in the north end of the Seattle metropolitan area. WDFW (2020) describes Culvert 993103 as being a depth barrier to 11,224 linear feet of habitat. This depth barrier prohibits crossings of SR 524 during the summer when water flow is low. The existing culvert is also disrupted by sediment and debris and has limited vegetation necessary for controlling the creek's flow, temperature and spawning conditions.
As part of the project design, the existing culvert will be replaced or removed. The existing crossing is only 67 percent passable for native fish populations. The design of this crossing will focus on the removal or replacement of existing fish barrier structures with widened hydraulic openings to meet current fish passage requirements and introduce a new open-graded stream channel.
WSDOT's role in fish recovery
This work is part of WSDOT's fish passage program. Replacing the existing culverts and rebuilding the steam channel will expand healthy fish habitat, an important step in restoring fish runs and increasing populations. This benefits commercial seafood operations, recreational fishers and provides more food for the declining orca population. Additionally, replacing these culverts helps WSDOT meet its obligation to remove fish barriers under the 2013 U.S. District Court injunction.
Fish in Scriber Creek
Restoring access will create habitat for fish to lay eggs and for juveniles to grow stronger before migrating to Puget Sound. Species in this creek include:
- Chinook, sockeye and coho salmon
- Coastal cutthroat
- Steelhead trout
