08/24/2026
Good morning,
My name is Casey Conley, and I work in communications for Washington State Department of Transportation. I will be the lead communicator for the State Route 169 fish passage project in Black Diamond that begins Monday, Aug. 17.
Over the next two years, this project will upgrade culverts at five crossings beneath SR 169 in Black Diamond, improving fish passage and opening nearly 4.6 miles of potential upstream habitat. Three crossings are located near Jones Lake, south of the historic downtown, and two are located to the north near Black Diamond-Ravensdale Road.
We expect our contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure Co. West, will upgrade two culverts near Jones Lake during the 2026 construction season. Next year, they expect to address the third culvert near Jones Lake and the two culverts near Black Diamond-Ravensdale Road.
What to expect in 2026
Starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, both directions of SR 169 will close between Southeast 332nd Street and Plass Road. All lanes are scheduled to reopen Sept. 21, pending favorable weather and site conditions.
Here is what people can expect during the 35-day road closure:
• Separate signed detour routes for passenger vehicles and freight vehicles.
• SR 169 limited to local access only between Roberts Drive and Southeast 332nd Street, and Southeast Green Valley Road and Plass Road.
• People who live along SR 169 will have access to their driveways.
• Businesses along this section of SR 169 will be open and accessible.
• Cyclists and pedestrians must follow detour routes.
Construction will pause from fall 2026 until spring 2027, when work resumes on the three remaining waterways. More details on the 2027 construction schedule and detour information will be released early next year.
How to stay informed
There are multiple ways people can follow this project. I will also send updates to this group during the 35-day closure highlighting progress and any schedule updates.
• News release: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2026/sr-169-close-35-days-near-black-diamond-fish-passage-improvements
• Online open house: https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/sr-169-fish-passage
• Project website: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-169-rock-creek-ginder-creek-and-unnamed-tributaries-fish-passage
• Real-time travel map: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/map/
• WSDOT weekly King County newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOT/subscriber/new
Additional resources
I have attached three detour maps highlighting how people can get around the 35-day SR 169 closure near Jones Lake starting Aug. 17. Two maps show separate routes for passenger vehicles and freight, while the third shows both routes on a single map.
How to reach WSDOT with questions or concerns
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions, comments or concerns now or at any time during construction.
Casey Conley
WSDOT Communications
206-718-4182 (mobile)
[email protected]
Thank you!
Casey Conley
Construction communications
WSDOT Northwest Region
Mobile: 206-718-4182
Working hours: M-F, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
