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| The culvert under Ballinger Way / SR 104 is adjacent to the Whizz Kids Academy. |
Confusingly, this is the same intersection where the City of Lake Forest Park plans the L90 culvert replacement in 2026 or 2027 (see our previous article here)
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| There is a small culvert under 35th NE next to Ballinger Automotive. |
WSDOT culvert project
According to Casey Conley, WSDOT Communications, construction is set to begin on a fish barrier removal project along Lyon Creek where it passes beneath State Route 104/Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park.
Beginning Monday, June 30, 2025 contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will replace an existing culvert that prevents fish from passing with a 24-foot-wide concrete structure near the SR 104 intersection with 35th Ave NE.
The project also will improve habitat within Lyon Creek, which flows from Snohomish County into Lake Washington through Lake Forest Park.
The new culvert structure will open 7.5 miles of potential upstream habitat to Chinook, coho, steelhead, sockeye, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.
The dates for each extended closure have not been finalized, although the 35-day closure on SR 104/Ballinger Way is tentatively planned to start in early September.
Beginning Monday, June 30, 2025 contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will replace an existing culvert that prevents fish from passing with a 24-foot-wide concrete structure near the SR 104 intersection with 35th Ave NE.
The project also will improve habitat within Lyon Creek, which flows from Snohomish County into Lake Washington through Lake Forest Park.
The new culvert structure will open 7.5 miles of potential upstream habitat to Chinook, coho, steelhead, sockeye, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.
Closure details
Construction will happen up to seven days a week, with traffic control primarily occurring between 9pm and 5am.
Construction will happen up to seven days a week, with traffic control primarily occurring between 9pm and 5am.
Crews will perform site work and utility upgrades before installing the new culvert beneath SR 104, which will require extended road closures.
The following closures are planned during different stages of the project:
The following closures are planned during different stages of the project:
- Overnight, single-lane closures on SR 104, 35th Ave NE and NE 185th St with flaggers alternating traffic in each direction.
- A five-day closure along NE 185th St.
- At least one overnight closure along 35th Ave NE near SR 104.
- A 35-day closure along SR 104/Ballinger Way.
The dates for each extended closure have not been finalized, although the 35-day closure on SR 104/Ballinger Way is tentatively planned to start in early September.
What to expect
Signed detour routes will guide vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians around the road closures. Local access will be permitted during construction, although people will not be able to cross through the work zones.
King County Metro will relocate bus stops along SR 104/Ballinger Way during construction.
Johansen Construction Co. is the prime contractor for the $8.71 million project that, weather permitting, is expected to finish this fall. This work advances WSDOT’s efforts to comply with a U.S. District Court ruling requiring the agency to remove barriers to fish passage beneath state highways.
Signed detour routes will guide vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians around the road closures. Local access will be permitted during construction, although people will not be able to cross through the work zones.
King County Metro will relocate bus stops along SR 104/Ballinger Way during construction.
Johansen Construction Co. is the prime contractor for the $8.71 million project that, weather permitting, is expected to finish this fall. This work advances WSDOT’s efforts to comply with a U.S. District Court ruling requiring the agency to remove barriers to fish passage beneath state highways.
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