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About the Project

The Butte Creek culvert is damaged, this project will address the issues and help prevent damage to U.S. 101.



​A culvert allows water to safely pass under the highway. This culvert isn't working properly. 

The culvert:​

  • Is deteriorating and could fail, causing damage to the roadway.
  • Is undersized and water backs up during storm events, which causes further damage to the culvert. 
  • Does not meet the current standards to provide migratory fish adequate passage.​
Culvert with excess water

​We're replacing the existing Butte Creek culvert with a new bridge. The bridge will make it easier for native migratory fish, like salmon, to pass through the area. Improving fish passage aligns with our commitments to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. 

With this project, we're:

  • Removing the old culvert.
  • Building a new bridge.
  • Replacing the existing guardrail.
​This new bridge will make the road safer and more stable, which will reduce maintenance costs. ​

We started looking for solutions and kicked off this project in 2023. We're currently working on designing the new bridge, with a plan to start construction in 2026. 

 Project Area Map 

​Check out larger versions of the pictures for the Coleman Creek and Mendenhall Creek​ culvert replacements.​

Before and After Pictures of Coleman and Mendenhall Creek culvert to bridge projects