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WSDOT updates Skagit County on fish‑passage culverts, roundabouts and rockslide that may close SR‑11 for weeks
Summary
State transportation officials told Skagit County commissioners on April 29 that a series of fish‑passage and safety projects are planned across the county, funded largely from highway funds and fish‑passage dollars, and that a recent rockslide on SR‑11 could force an extended closure while the slope is stabilized.
State Department of Transportation officials briefed the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on April 29 about a slate of projects in the Mount Baker region including a major fish‑passage project at Friday Creek, three new roundabouts on State Route 20, culvert replacements on SR‑9 and SR‑20, and a rockslide that is likely to close SR‑11 for an extended period.
The WSDOT presentation, led by Chris Dimitio, assistant regional administrator for the Mount Baker area, described Friday Creek — near Interstate 5 at Exit 240 — as a large fish‑passage effort. Dimitio characterized the work as replacing roughly a dozen barriers with a smaller number of larger, more natural crossings and said the project is currently estimated at about $150,000,000. He said the work will include a new crossing beneath Lake Samish Road and may not require the Lake Samish Road closure until 2026.
Dimitio and Josh Shippey, WSDOT area traffic engineer for Mount Baker, also described safety and resiliency projects: three single‑lane roundabouts planned on SR‑20 between Burlington and Cedar‑Woolley (at Gardner, District Line and Collins Road), a roughly $10 million project scheduled for summer 2026; a Childs Creek realignment and a new bridge span on Highway 20 planned for design and construction in 2027; and multiple culvert replacements on SR‑9 (Nookachamps and Hansen creeks) and SR‑20 (Cole Creek) to improve fish passage. WSDOT said some culvert jobs will require brief full closures (about 20 days) or single‑lane bypasses during construction.
WSDOT said the Cole Creek replacement is already advertised and awarded and is expected to proceed in summer 2025 after the July 15 fish‑window. The agency also described a Campbell Lake Road roundabout funded by the Samish Nation that will be built over two years because of poor soils.
On traffic changes, Shippey said crews will install painted “peanut” islands at the Pulver Road intersection immediately, with striping crews ready in May, and that the agency will monitor results before installing raised features. He outlined a series of local speed‑limit changes and said a highway speed camera pilot (legislatively authorized) is collecting warnings southbound through June to produce data for future consideration.
Dimitio reported an estimated 5,000 cubic yards of rock fell on SR‑11 in a recent slide and that the slope is still moving. He said crews will need to scale and remove debris and likely install anchors, and that the closure could last “maybe up to a month, if not longer,” pending safe access and funding.
Commissioners raised questions about funding and maintenance tradeoffs. A commissioner asked whether culvert costs come from general transportation funds; Dimitio said the work is funded primarily from the state motor fuel tax and typical federal matching funds, and that fish‑passage dollars and a court injunction have concentrated funds and workload in the Puget Sound region. He and WSDOT staff said targeted fish‑passage work has reduced funding available for other maintenance needs statewide.
WSDOT staff said budgets for maintenance and preservation are tight, and that many of the fish‑passage structures are large enough that routine maintenance should be modest. They also said some planned projects extend into 2026–2028 depending on permitting, fish windows and available legislative dollars.
Commissioners and staff also discussed longer‑term concerns about gravel and blockages in streams near Highway 20, and the need to coordinate access and homeowner notifications when bridges or realignments alter local access. WSDOT said it is coordinating with county staff on final designs and access realignments.
For project-specific timing and traffic impacts, WSDOT provided these details: Cole Creek (SR‑20 east of Cedar‑Woolley) — construction summer 2025 after July 15 fish window with a single‑lane bypass for about 20 days; Friday Creek (I‑5 Exit 240) — major multi‑year project with some work in 2026; SR‑20 Burlington roundabouts — summer 2026; Nookachamps and Hansen Creek culvert work — planned for 2026 with 20‑day closures or single‑lane traffic; Campbell Lake Road roundabout — two‑year construction starting 2026 due to poor soils.
WSDOT said it will continue outreach and coordinate permitting and schedules with county staff.
