MARROWSTONE ISLAND — Travelers of the Kilisut Harbor Bridge can expect delays as workers transition drivers from the temporary lanes onto the new permanent bridge.
The transition is expected to begin at 8 a.m., weather permitting. Drivers can expect up to 30 minute delays, said Tina Werner, state Department of Transportation public information officer.
Drivers will be limited by an alternating one-lane traffic signal while final work on the bridge, roadway and channel beneath the bridge is being completed, Werner said.
The work on the project is expected to be finished in the fall.
“For the next several months, drivers will still encounter one-way alternating traffic while they’re traveling on the new bridge,” Werner said.
“But as they’re on the new bridge, they should be able to see some of the work that is taking place as our crews work to wrap up this job.”
Drivers have been restricted to temporary lanes for about a year during construction of the 440-foot-long concrete girder bridge.
The overall bridge and channel project is spearheaded by the North Olympic Salmon Coalition to restore historic tidal channels and fish runs between southern Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay by creating about 2,300 acres of productive habitat in the Puget Sound, Werner said.
The $15 million project was funded by a combination of donations from partners of the coalition and private citizens as well as by the state Legislature and the Department of Transportation.
“This is a unique project because it includes so many community partners,” Werner said.
She added she’s excited to see the project nearing completion.
“We’re definitely eager to reopen this bridge,” Werner said. “We’re excited for what this means in restoring the channel back to its historic conditions, and it will greatly improve fish passage and fish runs into the Puget Sound.
“So for that, we’re very excited and to officially reopen our highway back to the traveling public fully.”
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached by email at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com or by phone at 360-385-2335, ext. 5.
