Somerset hill culvert

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded $642,500 to the Washington State Department of Transportation on September 19, 2025, under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) to replace a partial barrier culvert with a bridge structure at the Somerset Hill crossing in Washington. The project will eliminate fish and wildlife passage impediments at this location, enabling unobstructed habitat connectivity for aquatic organisms. Additionally, the bridge replacement will restore natural hydrological function to Percival Creek by providing adequate space for the waterway to meander naturally and allow for dynamic sediment deposition and bankfull width adjustments over time.

The project is expected to reach completion by December 31, 2028. This award supports infrastructure improvements consistent with FHWA's broader Highway Planning and Construction program objectives, which prioritize multimodal transportation network development alongside environmental and ecological restoration. The culvert replacement represents a specialized initiative addressing fish passage improvements through infrastructure redesign, aligning with current federal transportation priorities that integrate habitat conservation with transportation infrastructure modernization.

Project description

Replace the current partial barrier with a bridge to allow for unimpeded fish and wildlife habitat and passage at the crossing, and allow percival creek sufficient space to meander and change its sediment deposition and bankfull width over time.