Last Thursday, massive steel girders waited their turn at the State weigh station north of Forks, signaling the next phase of a major fish passage project at May Creek.
This $9 million project, mandated under a 2013 federal court injunction, aims to replace an outdated culvert with a full-span bridge to restore natural stream conditions and improve fish migration. It is believed that the culvert currently blocks access to spawning grounds for salmon, bull trout, and steelhead.
May Creek, a key tributary to the Bogachiel River, will soon offer nearly eight miles of newly accessible habitat once the project is complete. A slower, more natural water flow under the bridge will make migration significantly easier for fish navigating upstream.
Construction is expected to continue through fall 2026, with temporary traffic signals directing one-lane traffic during that time. The effort is part of Washington State’s broader mission to correct fish passage barriers and support long-term fish recovery throughout the region.