Orange road work signs are coming down as a project to restore access to fish habitat beneath Highway 305 between Suquamish and Poulsbo is now complete.

Contractor crews working for the state Department of Transportation recently finished construction at Sam Snyder Creek. Major work wrapped up in late May. Since then, crews have worked on smaller items such as electrical work and fencing, per a news release. The project improves access to two miles of potential fish habitat at the creek, which flows into Liberty Bay.

Since October of 2023, crews have worked to remove two 270-foot-long, 36-inch-diameter concrete pipe culverts beneath Hwy 305. They were replaced with a single 239-foot-long steel girder bridge. Replacing the outdated culverts with a bridge makes it easier for fish to pass through, per WSDOT.

“The habitat restoration also improved the creek to create a natural environment. The work will help benefit adult and juvenile fish,” the release says.

Crews kept traffic moving on a temporary bridge around the work zone. Throughout the project, crews were able to keep both directions of traffic open on the highway.

The project was part of WSDOT’s program to remove barriers to fish under state highways.