September 24, 2018

WSDOT says elk and other animals will start using I-90 overpass soon

Photo from WSDOT [enlarge]

WSDOT says the state's first wildlife overpass, on Interstate 90, should be open by the time snow flies on Snoqualmie Pass.

This photo taken last week shows that most of the overpass is finished.

WSDOT spokeswoman Meagan Lott said a little more work is needed to finish the major structure by winter.

Lott said crews will return next spring to add plants to the overpass, but WSDOT expects that animals will start crossing there as soon as it opens. She said that's what happened when the Gold Creek wildlife underpass, just east of the summit, was finished in 2013.

WSDOT has spent 15 years monitoring wildlife migration habits through the corridor between Hyak and Easton. The Price Creek area, where the overpass is being built, was determined to be a regular path for wildlife.

Lott said crews will install 8-foot-tall sections of fence next year along I-90 to funnel animals onto the overpass.

The wildlife overpass is part of a $108 million project by Guy F. Atkinson Construction that includes widening two miles of I-90. Crews last week opened the third eastbound lane that is part of that project.

Atkinson's work is the second of five phases of improvements along 15 miles of I-90 between Hyak and Easton. The first phase covered five miles and was split into three contracts, with Atkinson doing two and Max J. Kuney Co. doing the third. Atkinson built two avalanche bridges during this phase.

The DJC reported earlier this year that phase three will start in 2021, followed by phase four in 2022 and the final phase in 2024. All work is expected to be finished by 2027.

Two more wildlife overpasses are planned in phase three.