Starting next month, drivers traveling to and from Seattle will face delays due to significant lane reductions on I-5, as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) embarks on a $57. 5 million construction project. This initiative is focused on installing new culverts to facilitate fish passage, adhering to a 2013 U. S. District Court ruling that mandates the removal of barriers impeding salmon migration by 2030.

Initially, I-5 will be reduced to two lanes, with a temporary two-lane bypass road in place starting in May for a duration of nine months. The construction is scheduled to finish before the anticipated influx of traffic for the FIFA World Cup in June 2026. Additionally, Old Highway 99 will close for six months in 2026, redirecting local and freight traffic onto the interstate. The project aims to enhance fish habitats in Secret Creek and will also coincide with the replacement of six old culverts near the Skagit-Whatcom county line. These efforts are expected to benefit various fish species and provide safe crossings for local wildlife.

WSDOT's commitment to improving environmental conditions reflects a broader initiative to prioritize ecological health alongside transportation infrastructure.