PYSHT — Motorists who want to visit Clallam Bay, Sekiu and Neah Bay from east Clallam and Jefferson counties are being detoured until Saturday morning.
The usual route, state Highway 112 — officially the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway — was closed this morning at a tributary of the Pysht River so that construction crews can install a bigger culvert for spawning fish.
The towns and scenic attractions of the Northwest Coast are still accessible to motorists during the three-day closure — scheduled to end at 5 a.m. Saturday.
But they have to use U.S. Highway 101 instead of Highway 112.
Instead of turning onto Highway 112 at Laird’s Corner west of Port Angeles, motorists need to continue westbound on U.S. 101 for about 40 miles to the junction with state Highway 113 at Sappho.
Heading north on Highway 113, also known as Burnt Mountain Road, will soon return the motorist to Highway 112 west of the closure — and on to Clallam Bay, Sekiu and Neah Bay.
Old culverts removed
About four miles east of the junction of Highways 112 and 113, project contractor, Bruch & Bruch Inc. of Port Angeles is removing two old 36-inch concrete culverts that have obstructed fish passage on the Pysht River tributary.
The culverts are being replaced with a 14-foot-wide, four-sided pre-cast culvert to allow access for migratory fish passage, the state Department of Transportation said.
