Delayed SR-302-Purdy Culvert Replacement

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced November 15 that a culvert replacement beneath the State Route 302 spur on Purdy Drive, south of 144th Street NW, has been postponed until spring.

WSDOT planned to use a parallel road just east of the spur, Purdy Drive NW, as a detour during the year-long project, but weather delayed necessary paving improvements there to handle the increased vehicle load. Delivery of a temporary traffic signal for the intersection of 144th and Purdy Drive NW was also delayed.

The state plans to replace a series of culverts under SR-302 with a 77-foot long bridge over Purdy Creek that empties into Burley Lagoon to improve fish passage. 

Two other culverts that run under SR-16 and other obstacles further upstream are already being replaced. That portion of the project, which involves diverting lanes of both east- and westbound traffic, is expected to take two years.