SR 3, SR 16 and SR 166, Gorst Vicinity - Remove Fish Barriers

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Overview

Starting in spring 2026, the Washington State Department of Transportation will remove barriers to fish under state highways in Gorst and Port Orchard.

Crews will install larger culverts or bridges under several locations on State Route 3, SR 16 and SR 166 in Kitsap County.

The work will improve stream connectivity at Gorst Creek, Kabelac Creek and Ross Creek. Construction will remove barriers to fish and open potential habitat.

The project also includes construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 3, SR 16 Spur and West Sam Christopherson Avenue. The new roundabout will help reduce the potential for collisions and improve traffic flow.

SR 3 and SR 16 converge in Gorst, connecting the Kitsap Peninsula to the rest of Puget Sound.

Each orange dot represents a culvert that is a barrier to fish.

2026 construction

In 2026, crews working for WSDOT will construct new culverts or bridges at the following locations:

• SR 3 at Gorst Creek
• SR 16 at Kabelac Creek
• SR 16 at Ross Creek Tributary

During construction, a section of each roadway will be removed. Crews will install a larger culvert. Workers will also make significant improvements to restore each creek near the highway.

SR 3 at Gorst Creek

In summer 2026, crews will remove a section of SR 3 near Gorst. The area is located near Sunnyslope Road Southwest. Workers will install a new 150-foot-long box culvert.

During construction, SR 3 will be closed around the clock for up to 16 consecutive days.

SR 3 will be open to residential and business traffic just north and south of the construction work zone.

While SR 3 is closed, there will be three signed detour routes:

• Drivers will use Sunnyslope Road Southwest and Southwest Lake Flora Road.
• People who walk, roll or bike can use Northeast Old Belfair Highway/West Belfair Valley Road.
• Commercial vehicles will be routed to SR 16 and SR 302.

WSDOT understands that any road closure is at the least inconvenient. The total closure will allow crews to remove and replace the highway in a relatively short time. Crews will work double shifts to make sure the work is completed on time. WSDOT will work with the contractor to find efficiencies and make sure the highway opens on schedule.

In summer 2026, travelers can expect to see detours for up to 16 consecutive days on roads surrounding the fish passage construction site.

Construction schedule for SR 3 at Gorst Creek

Spring 2026

• Site preparation and utility relocations.

Summer through fall 2026

• WSDOT will announce the 16-day around-the-clock closure in advance.
• Installation of the new fish passage culvert.
• Before and after the closure, travelers can expect short-term, intermittent shoulder and lane closures.

Late fall/early winter 2026

• Landscaping and final touches to complete construction.

SR 16 at Kabelac Creek

In summer 2026, crews will install a new culvert under SR 16. The area is east of the SR 3/SR 16 interchange. The culvert will allow fish to cross under the highway. The work will open potential fish habitat.

During construction, travelers will use a temporary bypass road. The temporary bypass road will have two lanes in each direction. The speed limit through the work zone will be temporarily reduced.

The fish barrier removal site is along SR 16 at Kabelac Creek.

Construction schedule at Kabelac Creek

Spring 2026

• Site preparation and utility relocations.

Summer through fall 2026

• Construction of the new fish passage culvert.
• Lane shifts throughout construction.
• Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during construction.

Late fall/early winter 2026

• Shifted lanes end.
• Landscaping and final touches to complete construction.

SR 16 at Ross Creek Tributary

Starting in summer 2026, crews will construct a new bridge over Ross Creek to allow fish to migrate freely under SR 16. This work is expected to take two summers to complete. During the first summer of construction, crews will build a temporary bypass road. The bypass road will have two lanes in each direction. A temporary speed limit reduction will be in place. People who walk, bike or roll will detour along Southwest Old Clifton Road and Feigley Road West.

During the second summer of construction, SR 16 will be open to vehicle traffic with the temporary bypass road removed. Crews will work underneath the new bridge. The roadway shoulder will remain closed. People who walk, roll or bike will continue to detour through fall 2027.

A signed detour will be provided for people who walk, bike, roll.

Construction schedule at Ross Creek Tributary

Spring 2026

• Site preparation and utility relocations.

Summer 2026

• Traffic shifts to bypass road.
• Construction of the new bridge.
• People who walk, roll or bike to detour.

Fall 2026

• Construction pauses for winter.
• Traffic shifts from bypass road back to SR 16.
• Detour for people who walk, bike or roll remains in place.

Spring through fall 2027

• Construction resumes with short-term intermittent shoulder and lane closures.
• Crews work under the bridge. Workers will restore the creek and install landscaping.
• Crews work on the outside of the bridge to install permanent bridge barriers.

Late fall/early winter 2027

• Landscaping and final touches to complete construction.
• SR 16 roadway shoulder reopens.

Roundabout and fish passage construction in Gorst

Fish barrier removal and roundabout in Gorst

Starting in 2027, crews will remove a barrier to fish and build a roundabout at SR 3, SR 16 Spur and West Sam Christopherson Avenue.

This intersection was identified by WSDOT as a location for a new roundabout. WSDOT is combining the roundabout with the fish passage project. This follows WSDOT's get-in/get-out approach, which minimizes the overall construction timeline.

This extensive dual-benefit project will be completed in phases over the course of two years.

WSDOT and the contractor are working to finalize plans to keep people moving during construction. WSDOT will announce specifics before construction begins.

Once complete, the new roundabout will improve traffic flow and reduce potential for collisions. The work also will remove barriers to fish.

For more information about the purpose of roundabouts, visit WSDOT's Roundabouts page.

Construction on a new roundabout begins in 2027 where SR 3, SR 16 Spur and West Sam Christopherson Avenue intersect. The new roundabout will be open to all travelers.

Southeast Mile Hill Drive (SR 166) at Olney Creek

WSDOT plans to replace an outdated culvert under Southeast Mile Hill Drive (SR 166) at Olney Creek in East Port Orchard. Construction is scheduled during summer 2027.

WSDOT and the contractor are currently developing a plan for how travelers will move through the area. Detailed construction information will be shared once the plan is finalized. WSDOT is committed to keep people moving during construction.

The fish barrier removal site is along SR 166 at Olney Creek.

What is a culvert?

Fish barrier removal projects benefit fish at all life cycles. This image shows a completed project where crews rehabilitated the creek. The work helps create more natural conditions.

A fish passage barrier is anything that stops fish from moving upstream. While culverts allow water to pass under roadways, they may not allow fish to swim through. The water might be too swift, too shallow or have a waterfall into or out of the culvert.

WSDOT corrects fish barriers on state highways to support salmon recovery and comply with state laws. A federal court injunction also requires the correction of barrier culverts to improve fish passage.

A new fish passable structure, typically a culvert or bridge, is installed at each location. Installation can only be done during the fish windows, which are designated work windows that reduce the risk of impacts to fish life at sensitive life stages.

The new structures are much bigger than the existing culverts. The work will open potential fish habitat upstream. Opening habitat helps fish to thrive, reproduce, and find food and shelter.

The structures are also beneficial to other wildlife besides fish. The larger structures can allow other animals to pass under the highway. Reducing conflicts with wild animals and vehicles is one way to help reduce collisions.

For this project, all fish passage locations will be new box culverts, except for SR 16 at Ross Creek Tributary where a bridge structure will be built.

Stay connected

Visit the project webpage for up-to-date information including signing up for email updates.

Travel conditions change quickly. We strongly encourage travelers to use the tools below to stay informed.

• Sign up for email alerts about major roadwork on state highways in Kitsap County.
• Check real-time travel conditions, view cameras and travel times.
• Download the WSDOT mobile app.