Bridge construction continues at Kilisut Harbor

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Work continues on the 440-foot, two-lane concrete girder bridge spanning Kilisut Harbor just west of Marrowstone Island. Construction by Cascade Bridge LLC is expected to last through autumn 2020. During construction, travelers will encounter weekday daytime construction with alternating traffic as crews begin efforts to construct a bypass at the site. Kayakers and pleasure craft will not be able to pass through the channel under the crossing at Kilisut Harbor (WSDOT website is not specific as to whether this is a permanent change, or only during construction. Comment was not available as of press time). Due to safety considerations, the pedestrian trail to Isthmus Beach is closed round the clock through fall of 2020. The trail west of that location is still open to the public. The goal of this project, spearheaded by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) and funded by its partners, is to restore historic tidal channels and fish runs between southern Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay in Jefferson County, creating approximately 2,300 acres of productive habitat in Puget Sound, according to a press release. WSDOT will administer the construction contract to build the new bridge to replace the existing causeway, which was identified as a barrier to fish. WSDOT and NOSC aim to re-establish major northern and southern migratory fish channels for juvenile and adult salmonids, including ESA-listed Hood Canal summer Chum, Puget Sound Chinook and Puget Sound Steelhead. 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 Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify culverts that, once replaced, will restore historic fish migration patterns. Washington’s indian tribes triggered the project by suing the state for installing fish-blocking culverts. During construction, travelers will encounter reduced speeds and one-way alternating traffic at the work zone throughout the entirety of the project. Any total roadway closures will be announced in advance. The new bridge features lanes 11 feet wide with four-foot shoulders.