WSDOT’s North Olympic Peninsula Construction will entail Bridge, Roundabouts, Fish Barrier Removals…
OH My!
Stay informed with the facts, and join the various solutions designed to help all weather this season of construction, as we look forward to improved transportation for residents, visitors (and fish too) for many years to come.
WSDOT’s centralized Construction Open House
Project-specific page links
1. Hood Canal Bridge – Center Lock Rehabilitation
Project Overview
Crews will upgrade and replace key elements of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. The construction bolsters systems that guide the bridge together and keep both halves of the bridge connected.
Timeline: May 2023 – September 2023
What to expect
Travelers can expect up to four total weekend closures of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. These closures are currently scheduled for 11 p.m. Friday night to 4 a.m. Monday. (Currently planned for – July 28 – August 21). Crews will also require a series of night intermittent closures to all travelers.
The closures require good weather and calm tides, so they may be rescheduled. All closures will be announced in advance.
Current Hood Canal Bridge Status https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/hoodcanalbridgestatus
2. East Jefferson County Remove Fish Barriers
Project Overview
This project will remove fish barriers at two locations: one is on State Route 104 at Shine Creek, and the other is on State Route 19 at Swansonville Creek.
At both locations, an 18-foot hydraulic opening, three-sided culvert will be constructed.
Timeline: Late Spring 2023 – Fall 2023
What to expect
At Shine Creek on SR 104, construction crews will build a temporary bypass around the construction site and maintain two lanes of traffic while installing the new culvert. While the temporary bypass is in place, a temporary speed reduction from 60 mph to 45 mph will be in effect.
At Swansonville Creek, the contractor is allowed one continuous 10-day closure to complete installation of the new culvert. This 10-day full roadway closure will occur sometime between Sept. 5 and Sept. 30, 2023. During the 10-day closure, a signed detour route will lead travelers around the work zone.
Travelers may also see short periods of one-way alternating traffic or traffic stops to allow for isolated construction operations such as tree removal.
3. Roundabouts
SR 104 – Paradise Bay – Shine Road – Intersection Safety Improvement
Project Overview
This project improves safety along State Route 104 in Jefferson County at Shine-Paradise Bay Road by way of a single-lane, metered roundabout. A roundabout will be installed to reduce the severity and frequency of head-on crashes and improve the flow of traffic. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2023.
SR 104 – SR 19 – Intersection Safety Improvements
Project Overview
To improve safety and reduce head-on collisions, crews will construct a single-lane roundabout at State Route 104 and SR 19 (Beaver Valley Road) beginning in late spring of 2023.
Roundabouts are a proven solution to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions while maintaining a consistent flow of traffic. Improvements will also be made for those who walk or roll.
Timeline for both: Late Spring 2023 – Early Winter 2023
What to expect
During construction, travelers can expect shifted lanes, a reduced speed limit and temporary lane closures while crews work in phases to construct the roundabouts. Crews will maintain one-lane of SR 104 traffic in both directions during construction. Detours of up to 15 days may be implemented at Paradise Bay, Shine Road, and SR 19 connectors. Any highway closures will be announced in advance.
What to do?
Prepare to travel via alternate routes, or at different times.
With regards of the planned four Hood Canal Bridge weekend closures, messaging of:
“Go High, Go Low – better yet – Stay Put and ENJOY!”
Should be considered.
“Go High” routes Hood Canal Bridge traffic to/from the north to the Port Townsend – Coupeville Ferry (or even the potential of a fast foot-ferry from Seattle to Port Townsend during the four construction weekends.)
“Go Low” directs Hood Canal Bridge traffic from/to the south to travel the Hwy16-3 interchange out of Gorst to where SR106 connects with Hwy 101’s – VERY scenic – route up the Hood Canal
“Stay Put and ENJOY” is a call to travelers and all lodging and hospitality hosts to plan to stay on the Peninsula Sunday night, relax and ENJOY the extra full day of summer fun to be found throughout the Olympic Peninsula.
We will be working with our tourism partners to list special Sunday Night Markets, Restaurant Romps, “Everyone’s a Local” deals and discounts, etc. Stay tuned!