Restores habitat for fish
As part of the project, we will remove two fish passage barriers and install three new fish passable crossings at Secret Creek. The new crossings will restore access to over five miles of stream habitat. When rivers and streams reconnect, fish can better access the habitat they need to reproduce, access food resources, escape predators, and find refuge from high winter stream flows. Fish passage restoration efforts are key to rejuvenating ecosystems and bolstering climate resilience.
Creates wildlife habitat connectivity
The site’s location is part of a wildlife corridor home to several species of animals, including deer, coyotes, bobcats, and beavers. The project’s large 68-foot wide arch culverts promote safe wildlife connectivity across NB and SB I-5 and Old Highway 99. This not only protects valued wildlife resources, but also improves traveler safety by limiting the potential for vehicular conflicts with wildlife.
Updates aging infrastructure
The project upgrades existing and aging infrastructure along I-5 by removing existing fish barrier structures, installing new large steel-arch culverts, and providing roadway improvements. These benefits include improved safety of the traveling public, improved resiliency to natural disasters, and reduced long-term maintenance costs.
Visit the project website to see the latest project updates:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-5-secret-creek-fish-passage
To stay up to date on traffic changes on state highways, check the WSDOT travel map:
https://bit.ly/WSDOTTravelMap