134th Ave Culvert Replacement

Project Overview

The City of Woodinville’s 134th Avenue NE Culvert Removal and Bridge Replacement Project will improve fish passage, restore salmon habitat, and reduce flood risks along Little Bear Creek.

The project will replace three undersized culverts beneath the roadway with a single-span bridge made from a 30-foot recycled railroad trestle. This will restore the creek’s natural flow and open nearly two miles of salmon habitat.

By reusing materials from the nearby SR 202 Corridor Widening and Trestle Replacement Project, the City is reducing costs, improving infrastructure, and minimizing construction impacts.

Key Benefits

• Restores fish passage: Removes barriers to native salmon and trout.
• Reconnects habitat: Opens more than two miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat.
• Restores stream function: Reestablishes natural stream flow, sediment movement, and aquatic passage.
• Reduces environmental impact: Reuses a railroad trestle from the SR 202 corridor project, reducing material use and construction waste.
• Reduces flood risk: Replaces undersized culverts that cannot accommodate 100-year flood events.
• Maintains essential access: Preserves access for businesses, City properties, and utility providers.
• Build climate resilience: Improves the creek and infrastructure’s ability to withstand severe storms.
• Reduce costs and disruption: Coordinates two City projects to streamline construction and permitting.

A History of Restoration and Partnership
For more than 15 years, the City of Woodinville and regional partners have worked to restore fish passage along Little Bear Creek. After culvert barriers were removed at 132nd Ave NE in 2012 and a fish passage barrier beneath SR202 was replaced in 2017, the 134th Ave NE culverts became the next priority.

During planning for the SR202 Corridor Widening & Trestle Replacement Project, the City identified an opportunity to reuse part of the existing railroad trestle as a bridge over Little Bear Creek. This innovative approach supports salmon recovery, improves infrastructure, and reduces construction waste and costs.

The project was shaped through collaboration with regional partners, including:

• Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• Adopt A Stream Foundation
• Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
• Woodinville Water District

The project also supports the City’s 2023 Stormwater Management Action Plan, which identifies Little Bear Creek as a priority watershed for restoration.

Sustainable Design Through Reuse

Rather than discard the railroad trestle removed during the SR 202 project, the City plans to retrofit and relocate a portion of the structure to 134th Avenue NE. Reusing the trestle will:

• Reduce construction costs and material waste.
• Lower carbon emissions by avoiding new steel production.
• Reduce lead times for bridge components.
• Minimize construction impacts.

This approach combines environmental restoration with cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure.

Stay Informed

Stay up to date on project progress through this webpage, City newsletters and alerts, public events, and construction signage. This project invests in salmon recovery, climate resilience, public safety, and Woodinville’s future.