WSDOT dropping speed limit on Highway 3 near Chico Creek construction project
BREMERTON — Drivers cruising past work on Highway 3 near Chico Creek will need to slow down as the state's Department of Transportation drops the speed limit from 60 to 45 mph during construction.
The agency said the speed limit reduction will remain in place through the end of the $58 million, two-year project, which is aimed at improving fish passage in the area. It's estimated that the effort will wrap up in the fall of 2023.
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"The reduced speed limit is the result of a coordinated effort between WSDOT and law enforcement to ensure safe traffic operations during construction," WSDOT said in a news release. "The reduced speed limit will be combined with increased enforcement efforts to encourage compliance."
Signs will note the speed limit changes.
More: Here's what you need to know about the Highway 3 construction project
WSDOT spokeswoman Cara Mitchell said that WSDOT is slowing drivers down both for construction crew and traveler safety, given changes to the roadway during construction.
"This is something that we do on a lot of our projects statewide," Mitchell said.
During construction, travelers can expect night ramp closures at the Chico Way interchange, as well as some single-lane closures.
All the work is an effort to remove five fish passage barriers at the interchange, as construction crews build "replicated natural streambeds" for Chico Creek and a tributary.
More: 'Herculean effort' will build new Highway 3 bridge over Chico Creek to help salmon passage
Nathan Pilling is a reporter covering Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap and Washington State Ferries for the Kitsap Sun. He can be reached at 360-792-5242, nathan.pilling@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter at @KSNatePilling.
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This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: WSDOT dropping speed limit on Highway 3 near Chico Creek project
