Little Bear Creek is a critical habitat for runs of Chinook, Sockeye, Kokanee, and Coho salmon. This area is key spawning habitat for endangered and threatened species, and when restored, will improve fish passage and alleviate hazardous flooding. The current culverts for Little Bear Creek located at 134th Avenue NE are documented as a fish passage barrier by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These current culverts are undersized and deteriorating. By replacing these culverts, these fish will have access to approximately 2 miles of this high-priority spawning ground. Removing barriers to fish passage will allow for more spatial diversity of the fish populations, but also may allow more juvenile access to cooler water habitat. Restoring fish passage to Little Bear Creek is a key community goal and one the City is proud to accomplish.
Moreover, the City of Woodinville is working to replace the railroad trestle that spans 131st Ave NE and widen this section of road. The City is hoping to reuse the railroad trestle to span Little Bear Creek at 134th Avenue NE. By repurposing the bridge, the City will reduce demolition costs for the Trestle project and reduce the cost of the culvert replacement project by reusing existing structures. This is an exciting, unique, and timely opportunity to make a key environmental improvement in the City using repurposed infrastructure.
Phase 1 of the project to remove the current concrete culverts includes geotechnical analysis, partial project design and coordination of project permitting. The design phase of the project started Summer 2023. Construction is expected to be complete Summer 2026.