Starting July 16, Eagle Harbor Drive at the head of the bay will be closed to all vehicle traffic through early October as the city of Bainbridge Island undertakes a major culvert replacement and stream restoration project designed to support salmon recovery.
The project will also provide 7-10 foot widened shoulders for pedestrian use and connect with other Eagle Harbor Drive / Wyatt Way non-motorized improvements happening sometime this year, per a city news release. The state Department of Transportation determined the construction bid for the project could not proceed due to a math error in the bid package, which forced the BI City Council to approve a resolution at its June 17 meeting to reject the bid. The bid will be reopened July 2, with a contract award by council anticipated July 8.
Islanders will receive mailed postcards in the coming weeks with project details, maps and detour information.
The project aims to create a more natural stream bed for Cooper Creek, allowing more anadromous fish, like salmon and trout, to move freely at all tidal levels. The improvements will also reconnect intertidal salt marsh to regular tidal flows. Species such as cutthroat trout, chum, and coho salmon have been documented in the streams by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Additionally, the area provides habitat for Puget Sound Chinook salmon and steelhead, both listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, per the release.
“The existing 30-inch culvert is a known barrier to fish passage and tidal flow,” said Public Works director Chris Wierzbicki. “By replacing it with a 15-foot-wide concrete box culvert, we’re restoring over 3,700 feet of high-quality upstream habitat, enhancing water quality, and creating a more resilient natural system at the head of Eagle Harbor.”
The area also includes nearly an acre of freshwater tidal fringe wetland. The existing culvert restricts tidal inflows, which compromises the wetland’s ecological functions, the release says. In addition to improving fish passage, the project will restore natural flows, remove concrete and riprap along the shoreline, and revegetate the surrounding area with native plants.
Due to the narrow width of the existing roadway (about 25 feet) and the need for large retaining walls with deep structural tie-backs, the city says there is not enough space to safely maintain even a single lane of traffic during construction, as previously considered. A full closure to vehicle traffic is required to complete the work safely and efficiently, per the release.
Detours will be routed via Fletcher Bay Road and High School Road. Kitsap Transit bus riders should visit KTTracker.com/map and select a bus route. For details about bus detours and to view rider alerts, visit kitsaptransit.com/alerts. However, as a workaround to alleviate non-motorized delays, a temporary gangway will be installed across Cooper Creek to maintain access for pedestrians and cyclists. Walkers may also use Lost Valley Trail.
Construction is timed to coincide with the state-mandated “fish window,” a seasonal period (July 16–October 15) when in-water work is least disruptive to aquatic life. The window ensures the project can proceed while protecting fish during sensitive life stages, per the city.
“We know this project will inconvenience many, including my own commute,” said city manager Blair King. “However, the long-term environmental gains and community benefits, including widened shoulders at this critical juncture, will be significant. We appreciate the public’s patience as we make way for salmon and safer travel.”
Businesses in the area will be open during construction. More information about the project can be found at bainbridgewa.gov/1499.
