Project Overview
An older culvert with limited capacity in California Creek created both a barrier to fish passage and a flooding risk for Fox Road. The conveyance needed to be improved to meet current fish passage standards while minimizing impacts on the public.
PND led the complex engineering design for the fish barrier replacements under Interstate 5, State Route 548, and a frontage road along California Creek tributaries. By replacing existing structures with box culverts and daylighted channels, the fish passage and stream habitat designs were enhanced while addressing traffic maintenance, permitting, and utility relocation challenges. Despite having to work around sewer lines and the BNSF Railway, the project was completed ahead of schedule in 2020 and received a regional award in 2021. Fish have been observed in the newly constructed channel upstream of the new crossing structures.
Our Role
- Geotechnical Engineering: analyzed erosion risk and created erosion control
- Hydrology/Hydraulics: assessed flood risks and designed stream simulation
- Civil Engineering: relocated utilities, designed storm drainage, provided scour protection
- Transportation Engineering: managed traffic maintenance, grading, paving, and developed guardrails
- Permitting: obtained construction permits, improved fish habitat, fulfilled NEPA requirements
Providing Passage for Nature and Society
"Working with the PND team was a fantastic experience. Their deliverables were on or ahead of schedule. As issues arose, they pursued the solution aggressively until a solution was determined. From start to finish, they were committed, responsive, and timely. The PND team made it a point to attend all meetings or respond to all inquiries. From the start of the project to the final design documentation deliverable, they were engaged in the process."
While managing traffic, geotechnical aspects, permitting, and utility relocation, the engineering team replaced the crossing structures with culverts and daylighted channels. As the new passageways for fish were constructed, a temporary bypass on Interstate 5 helped prevent road closures, making this a hugely efficient project with multiple positive impacts.
Months
ahead of schedule, improving fish habitat more quickly
under budget, saving around $200,000
Linear Feet
additional daylighted channel and habitat created
