The annual Bikers at the Beach motorcycle rally is this weekend, and the State Patrol (WSP) is asking attendees to be mindful of traffic laws and to watch out for construction for those planning to reach Ocean Shores using State Route 12.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin replacing a culvert that runs underneath State Route 12 west of Devonshire Road in Montesano, starting Thursday, July 26. The culvert was identified as a barrier to fish and will be removed and replaced with a 220-foot-long concrete box structure to allow for improved fish passage.
The project is expected to last through the fall, impacting traffic by reducing lanes on the roadway. In the area of the construction, the roadway has two lanes in either direction that will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The posted speed limit of 60 mph will be reduced to 25 mph. WSDOT is expecting delays on Friday afternoons and through the weekends based on summer traffic volume in the area.
WSDOT data shows the area of Ocean Shores has a summer daily traffic volume of 10,940 vehicles on Fridays, 10,906 on Saturdays and 9,792 on Sundays. This number is expected to increase with the Bikers at the Beach rally.
The State Patrol will have extra patrols in the area to assist with traffic impacts and respond to incidents. Those in the area are encouraged to obey posted traffic laws and be mindful of the changing conditions of the roadway due to area construction.
For additional information and up to date traffic information, visit wsdot.wa.gov or follow @WSDOT_Tacoma on Twitter.