Daytime travelers who use SR 161 in Pierce County are advised to add extra time during late August starting Tuesday, August 19. Details in "what to expect" section below.
Project overview
As part of WSDOT's efforts to remove barriers to fish, this project addresses two blocking culverts where State Route 161 crosses over an Unnamed Tributary to South Creek at milepost 14.85 just north of 280th Street East in Pierce County.
What to expect
Daytime travelers who use State Route 161 in Pierce County are advised to add extra time.
7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during late August, starting Tuesday, August 19:
- Expect multiple traffic stops for up to 15 minutes.
- The traffic stops will occur at unscheduled times.
Contractor crews are replacing an outdated culvert under the highway. A new larger culvert will be installed.
The traffic stops allow crews to deliver large, heavy concrete pieces to the work zone.
This work is subject to change and may be rescheduled.
SR 161 near 280th Street East is in a temporary traffic configuration:
- The speed limit is lowered from 55 mph to 25 mph.
- The temporary traffic signals will be in place around the clock until work on the new bridge is finished.
- At the traffic signal, a push button will allow for longer travel time between signals for bicyclists.
The bypass road will keep people moving while the roadway is excavated and allow crews to remove the existing 36-inch and 18-inch culverts. The blocking culverts will be replaced with a new 18-foot-long fish-passable structure over an Unnamed Tributary to South Creek and the roadway will be freshly paved and striped.
This project will replace two blocking culverts beneath SR 161 between milepost 14.76 and 14.95.