Steve Brook, Olympic region administrator for the Washington State Department of Transportation, briefed the Clallam County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 29 about a package of transportation projects that WSDOT is advancing in and around Port Angeles and Sequim, including a $25 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant for shoreline stabilization and planning, fish‑barrier correction work at Peabody and White creeks, and longer‑term repairs to the Hood Canal Bridge.

The update matters because the projects address road stability, fish passage obligations and a vital marine link used by roughly 20,000 vehicles per day: Brook said the NOAA grant will fund planning across several locations and that only one element — raising and stabilizing the roadway between Outpost 4 and Outpost 6 — currently includes construction funding. "We did receive a $25,000,000 NOAA grant to look at the things you see listed here on this screen," he said.

Brook described the Peabody Creek and White Creek efforts as among the largest fish‑barrier corrections in WSDOT’s current delivery plan. WSDOT is beginning an alternatives workshop process to narrow a preliminary set of options — Brook said there are roughly seven alternatives for Peabody Creek — and expects to bring local partners together for additional workshops later this year and in coming months. He estimated construction for major fish‑barrier corrections could be in the 2028–2029 time frame, subject to further design and permitting. "This is 1 of the larger fish I would say 1 of the largest fish barrier corrections, currently in our delivery plan," Brook said.

Brook also updated the commissioners on Highway 112 work, saying WSDOT received a proviso to invest about $9.7 million in maintenance and preservation along the corridor, including culvert replacements and temporary paving to keep the road open through winter. He cautioned that work timing is constrained by wildlife protections: "There's the nesting period. ... generally, if there's eagles present, we can't make disturbing construction activities until after August 15," Brook said, noting that certain types of work are curtailed during the eagles’ nesting window.

On the Hood Canal Bridge, Brook said WSDOT is contending with aging components on the west half of the draw span, including divots in large guide wheels and girders that will require a large, multi‑year effort to repair or replace. The department received a $50 million federal grant, Brook said, but added that that amount will not cover the full scope of the superstructure work. "We received a $50,000,000 grant from the federal government, and it which isn't enough money to do this," he said, emphasizing the need for further planning and funding. Brook said much of the fabrication for the bridge is custom and that delays in parts deliveries have pushed some center‑lock work into the following summer; WSDOT typically avoids heavy bridge work from Oct. 1 through May because of winter storm windows.

Brook also addressed vehicle‑traffic impacts from marine openings at Hood Canal: he reviewed data showing 190 bridge openings since June, said the number of pleasure craft has increased, and noted federal and Coast Guard rules control when openings may occur. "We have to open that bridge for marine traffic. It's not a state regulation," he said, adding that WSDOT will work to ensure mariners use published windows and that the department will not open earlier simply because a vessel arrives early, which can create traffic pinch points for motorists.

Brook summarized other items including a paving project between Port Angeles and Sequim that will move into design (with two planned roundabouts at Mill Road and Taylor Cutoff) and an emphasis on slide‑prone areas such as Jim Creek and the Pistorius Valley that require long‑term planning and possible revetment and road‑raising work. He thanked local staff for permitting assistance and local traffic control during recent in‑water work.

Discussion versus decisions: commissioners asked clarifying questions about the southern extent of fish‑barrier projects, the potential for a "no‑action" alternative, and whether US 101 would face near‑term lane restrictions. Brook responded that Peabody Creek has three sections from the waterfront upstream — including a portion under US‑101 and a short section under a gas‑station parking area — and said a no‑action outcome is unlikely because of a federal injunction to correct fish barriers and ongoing mediation with tribes. On US‑101 closures associated with Gardner, Brook said he had not been notified and would check. The session included no binding decisions on capital allocations; Brook described planning, workshops and anticipated timelines and identified where further coordination and funding decisions will be required.

Next steps: Brook said WSDOT will run alternatives workshops (Peabody this week and White Creek later in the year), refine options to two or three alternatives for engineering analysis, and continue local coordination. He also noted the agency submitted its budget request to the governor’s office and has asked for supplemental funding for preservation, paving, bridge repairs and the fish‑barrier program; the governor’s budget is expected in December and the Legislature will act thereafter.

Ending: Brook closed by inviting further questions and local engagement as the projects move from planning to design and, eventually, to construction.