BLYN, Wash. – Commuters between Jefferson and Clallam counties on Highway 101 are being encouraged to plan ahead for what are expected to be long delays during an upcoming weeklong lane closure in the Blyn area.
The highway will be reduced to one-way alternating traffic from 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, through the evening of Friday, Aug. 18. There also will be a reduced speed limit on US 101 from 55 mph to 25 mph between Knapp Road and Diamond Point Road.
Here’s the DOT’s Doug Adamson.
“We’re really expecting a series of backups and delays on US 101 during this work. So, we’re expecting a potential of 90 minutes to get through the work zone, especially during the afternoon, during these days. So, if there’s anything that you can do, if you have a discretionary trip through the area, if you can telework during that week, or you can go early in the morning, we’re anticipating a lot of congestion on US 101 outside of Blyn during this work.”
The lane closure is needed so crews working for the Washington State DOT can remove a small culvert under the roadway and replace it with a larger concrete box culvert. This work allows fish in Eagle Creek to move more freely during migration, which helps protect and restore salmon runs.
During the closure, drivers on US 101 will use a single-lane road around the work zone. A timed traffic signal will alternate traffic each direction of traffic through the area. Bicyclists will follow a detour on the nearby Discovery Trail.
With one travel lane of US 101 closed, drivers will see increase congestion approaching both sides of the work zone. WSDOT is discouraging travelers from using county roads as a bypass as it will create congestion on routes needed for first responders and local residents.