• Project

SR 18/Unnamed Tributary to Big Soos & Soosette Creek – Fish Passage

Project overview

As part of WSDOT’s fish passage program, we will remove two culverts that do not allow fish to pass and replace them with fish-passable structures along Unnamed Tributary to Big Soos Creek and Unnamed Tributary to Soosette Creek at State Route 18 in Auburn. The new structures have the potential to open nearly one mile of habitat for coho, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.

Timeline
Fall 2026 - Winter 2029
Project status
Pre-construction
Funding
$135.91 million

What to expect

Work on both SR 18 sites is scheduled to begin fall 2026 and end winter 2029. Both culverts cross SR 18 where two lanes travel west and three lanes travel east. Crews will work in one direction and one lane of the highway at a time. Travelers can expect single-lane closures. Lane closure dates have not been set.

WSDOT will remove two culverts that do not allow fish to pass and build two fish-passable structures under SR 18 in Auburn.