WSDOT outlines multimillion-dollar fish-passage, roundabout and slide-response projects affecting Skagit County roads

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners heard a detailed update April 29 from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials on multiple projects across the county, including a $150 million fish‑passage effort at Friday Creek on Interstate 5, planned roundabouts on State Route 20, culvert replacements on SR‑9 and Highway 20 and an expected extended closure on SR‑11 after a large rock slide.

WSDOT assistant regional administrator Chris Dimitio summarized the largest effort, saying the Friday Creek project between the Exit 240 (Alger) interchange and North Lake Samish will replace about a dozen fish barriers and 12 separate culverts with a reconfigured two‑channel alignment and five new culverts. "We are getting rid of about a dozen fish barriers there, and rerouting that channel into 2 channels, and creating 5 new culverts," Dimitio said. He said a new crossing under Lake Samish Road likely will not occur until 2026 and will require a complete road closure. He also told the board WSDOT expects to keep all lanes available during the 2026 World Cup events, though speeds may be reduced.

The presentation included safety and resiliency work on SR‑20, where WSDOT plans three…