Project news

• Both directions of SR 530 at Trafton Creek east of Arlington reopened to traffic at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.
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Needs & benefits

In 2020, contractor crews from Kiewit will replace a culvert that carries Trafton Creek under SR 530 near Arnot Road. The existing culvert has a drop that is too large for most fish to navigate. The new culvert will include a more natural creekbed and make it easier for migratory and resident fish to move up and down stream. The restored creek will open up about 3.5 miles of habitat for coho salmon, steelhead and resident, bull and sea-run cutthroat trout.

Correcting fish passages is an important part of the state’s effort to protect and restore salmon runs and meet legal responsibilities. When completed, the fish passage improvements through Trafton and Schoolyard creeks will help restore the area to a natural state, improving fish passage, helping WSDOT comply with the 2013 U.S. District Court ruling that the state must remove culverts under highways that block habitat for salmon and steelhead.

What to expect

In summer 2020, SR 530 will shift onto a single-bypass for about 16 weeks as crews replace the culvert at Trafton Creek. The bypass will be controlled by temporary signals. Construction of the bypass began in May. The bypass will be in use from June to early October.

People traveling SR 530 between Darrington and Rockport also should plan for minor traffic delays for another project to reinforce the river bank along the Sauk River north of milepost 55.

Timeline

Spring 2018: Project awarded to Kiewit.
June 2019: Construction began at Schoolyard Creek.
July 25, 2019: Regular SR 530 closed near Lind Road, Schoolyard Creek one-lane bypass opened.
Sept. 5, 2019: Traffic returned to the regular SR 530 route at Schoolyard Creek.
May 11, 2020 - Trafton Creek bypass lane construction begins.
July 6, 2020: Regular SR 530 route closes near Arnot Road, Trafton Creek bypass opens.
October 2020: Traffic returns to regular SR 530 route at Trafton Creek.
Fall 2020: Construction complete.