SR 522/Cat Whisker Creek Fish Passage

Project overview

This project will remove a fish passage barrier along Cat Whisker Creek at State Route 522, just east of 61st Avenue Northeast in Kenmore. Contractor crews working for WSDOT will remove an existing 6-foot by 3-foot box culvert and replace it with a fish-passable structure. This new structure has the potential to open more than three miles of habitat for coho, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.

Timeline

Spring 2026 - Summer 2027

Project status

Pre-construction

Funding

$10.3 million

What to expect

Design of this project is funded and is in progress. The project's construction is not currently funded.

When construction is funded, travelers can expect lane reductions and shifts of SR 522 at 61st Avenue Northeast, where crews will remove the old culvert and build the new structure. Partial closures are also expected along the Burke-Gilman Trail near the construction area. These closure dates have not been set.

A map shows an orange square at the location where Cat Whisker Creek travels under SR 522 just east of 61st Avenue Northeast in Kenmore. WSDOT will build a fish-passable structure in this location.

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WSDOT will build a fish-passable structure where Cat Whisker Creek travels under SR 522, just east of 61st Avenue Northeast in Kenmore.

History and background

To support this project, WSDOT purchased the property adjacent to the project site at 6100 Northeast Bothell Way – a former Jack in the Box restaurant. The building will be demolished and replaced with a daylighted stream to support fish passage. Proposed design features in the stream include meander bars, new stream bed sediment and boulders, and large woody material. Native plants and trees will be planted near the stream.

This work is part of our fish passage program. Replacing the existing culverts and rebuilding the stream channels expands healthy fish habitat; an important step in restoring fish runs and increasing populations. This benefits commercial seafood operations and recreational fishers and provides more food for a declining orca population. Additionally, replacing these fish barriers helps us meet our obligation to remove barriers under the 2013 U.S. District Court injunction.

The timeline reflects milestones if funding for construction is secured in this year's legislative session. Currently, only the design of the project is funded.

Milestone

Late 2025

Project advertised for competitive bidding.

Early 2026

Contractor selected.

Spring 2026

Construction scheduled to begin.

Summer 2027

Construction scheduled for completion.

Existing conditions:

A photo showing the existing culvert that will be removed and replaced with a fish passable structure.

The existing 6-foot by 3-foot culvert will be removed and replaced with a fish passable structure.

Conceptual graphics:

WSDOT purchased a former Jack in the Box restaurant located at 6100 Northeast Way on the north side of SR 522. This conceptual graphic depicts plans to turn the area into a daylighted stream to support fish passage.

A conceptual graphic shows the location on the south side of SR 522 just east of 61st Avenue Northeast in Kenmore where WSDOT will build a fish-passable structure for Cat Whisker Creek.

SR 522/Cat Whisker Creek Fish Passage

Project overview

What to expect

History and background

Existing conditions:

Conceptual graphics:

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