Existing culverts at Lemolo and Bjorgan Creeks in the county of Kitsap, Washington State, need replacement after causing erosion and preventing migratory fish from reaching freshwater habitats.

Frank Coluccio Construction, awarded the $US3.8 million contract, will use pipe jacking to replace existing culverts with a 10 foot culvert and a 12 foot culvert. The bottom of those culverts will be 5 feet below the natural level of the stream bed. Crews will place bed gravel and rock to simulate natural beds. Each stream bed will also be regraded upstream and downstream from the culverts to protect spawning grounds when water volumes increase during storms.

The technique of pipe jacking was chosen because it allows the work to be completed without disrupting traffic. Work is expected to be finished on the culverts by 30 July.