Bridge construction between Montesano and Elma nears halfway mark

MONTESANO – People who travel on US 12 between Montesano and Elma will start using two new bridges the week of April 29. The bridges are part of a fish barrier removal project that corrects five culverts under US 12 and State Route 8 in Grays Harbor County.

On Wednesday, May 1, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will move one lane of US 12 onto the new bridges. Travelers will see daytime rolling slowdowns on US 12 during this work. The bridges are located near Monte-Brady Road and Schouweiler Road. Work is weather dependent and subject to change. WSDOT encourages people to stay alert in work zones as work continues.

Upcoming temporary changes to US 12, SR 8

Throughout spring and summer, travelers will see more changes in work zones on both highways. Crews will slow traffic down at times to reconfigure lanes and set up new work zones. Travelers will continue to cross over the median from one side of the highway to the other at all five locations.

The temporary changes will remain until all bridge structures are complete. To keep people moving around the work zones, one lane in each direction will remain open. The project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2025.

The work will allow fish at all stages of life to cross under the highways to access spawning and rearing habitat as well as improve highway resilience for people.