Project overview
As part of the state's fish recovery efforts, WSDOT has made it a priority to reconnect waterways where our roads act as barriers. In western Washington, that means building hundreds of fish passable structures under state highways in the next decade to create habitat gain essential for meeting our fish recovery goals. Beginning in Spring 2026, WSDOT will build a new fish passage structure where Munson Creek crosses SR 528 (MP 2.51) to restore fish access to previously inaccessible stream habitat.
What to expect
This site is currently part of our Fish Passage Delivery Plan to comply with a Federal Injunction. Our WSDOT Fish Passage Program currently requires additional funding from the State Legislature to fully fund our Delivery Plan. At this time, we don’t know when we will have funding to construct this fish barrier correction.
Project Map
Upholding Treaty Rights
Barrier culverts prevent Tribes in western Washington from benefiting from their treaty-based fishing rights. While we have made progress since 1991, a 2013 federal court injunction requires us to speed up our fish passage work in western Washington. This project is part of WSDOT’s 2030 Fish Passage Delivery Plan to open 90% of habitat blocked by state culverts.
In designing this project, WSDOT has worked closely with the Tulalip Indian Tribe to select hydraulic specifications that ensure a strong revitalization of Munson Creek, and a return of fish to their natural habitat.
