Major construction is finished on US 101 near Sequim. Details below in 'What to expect' section.
Project overview
This project addressed multiple barriers to fish under US 101 between Sequim and Gardiner.
Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife identified these sites as barriers to salmon migration and other resident fish species.
What to expect
In December 2025, crews completed major construction efforts to remove barriers to fish under US 101 between Sequim and Gardiner. Explore project work in the online photo album.
Minor work remaining
When the weather is warm and dry enough, crews will return to make a repair to the roadway near Blyn. Until that time, travelers are encouraged to reduce their speed to 35 mph in the Blyn area near Chicken Coop Road.
The work is part of WSDOT’s commitment to remove barriers to fish under state highways.
This project has replaced six blocking culverts beneath US 101 near Sequim between milepost 267 and 278.
Project construction began in summer 2023 at Eagle Creek near Gardiner. Since that time, crews have removed aging culverts that fish could not navigate at a total of six locations. Replacing these outdated culverts with new structures opens up a combined 15 miles of potential habitat for fish.
Completed fish barrier removal project locations
- Eagle Creek was corrected August 2023.
- Chicken Coop Creek was corrected November 2024.
- Unnamed Tributary to Sequim Bay (Discovery Creek) was corrected November 2024.
- Contractors Creek was corrected April 2025.
- Unnamed Tributary to Sequim Bay 2 was corrected June 2025.
- Johnson Creek was corrected in August 2025.
Correcting fish passage barriers under US 101
The work helps protect and restore fish runs negatively affected by outdated culverts under state highways.
A federal court injunction required the state to significantly increase the state’s efforts in removing state-owned culverts that block habitat for fish.
Building bridges or fish passable structures increase the likelihood of migration. Fish will be able to pass through creeks more easily. The water will be slower. Creeks are rebuilt to simulate a more natural environment.
