Project news

• Throughout August, crews will complete stream restoration work at Minter Creek. Expect intermittent lane closures through early fall to allow heavy equipment to enter and exit the highway.
• Previously announced culvert installation at Little Minter Creek has been rescheduled to summer 2022. Crews encountered delays in obtaining necessary components to the custom box culverts from fabrication suppliers. WSDOT will announce that work as it is scheduled. This video showcases the work and what to expect. 
• Travelers are encouraged to sign up for project email alerts for the latest announcements. 
• View Pierce County travel alerts for most current, real-time events near SR 302/SR 16.
• View construction progress photos.

Needs & benefits

This large cumulative project will remove and replace three fish barrier culverts on State Route 302 in Pierce County with fish passable structures (two with larger culverts and one with a bridge). Additionally, crews will repave nearly 8 miles of highway and make ADA improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians at the intersections of SR 302/Purdy Drive NW and SR 302/94th Ave NW.

The speed limit from mileposts 10 to 11 is reduced from 45 mph to 25 mph. Travelers should expect weekday daytime lane and shoulder closures through summer of 2021.

During construction, drivers should expect daytime lane and shoulder closures at the culvert sites, and weekday, overnight on- and off-ramp closures from SR 16 to SR 302. Contractor crews will conduct earthwork, culvert installation, paving, guardrail repairs and installation, stream profile realignment, stream restoration, erosion control and water management.  

The End Result

This work is part of WSDOT’s Fish Passage Barrier Removal Program, which identifies and removes barriers to fish caused by culverts under state highways. WSDOT works in partnership with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify fish species under state-owned highways and project anticipated habitat gain. Once complete, the potential habitat gain for fish is 25 miles (21.3 miles for Minter Creek and 3.7 miles for Little Minter Creek).

Timeline

• April 2019: Contract advertised for competitive bids.
• June 20, 2019: Contract awarded to Granite Construction Company. 
• 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2019: Construction begins at Minter Creek.
• Fall and winter 2019: Construction continues to build a new bridge at Minter Creek (while traffic uses the adjacent bypass)
• June 28, 2021:  Work resumes at Little Minter Creek.
• Early fall 2021: Work temporarily pauses at Minter Creek.
• Summer 2022: Crews return to install culverts at Little Minter Creek
• Fall 2022: Most work is complete.

Funding