A Caltrans culvert replacement project on Route 197 and US 101 is generating delays through Smith River. Photo: Courtesy of Caltrans District 1

Motorists traveling through Smith River on U.S. 101 face delays just north of Sarina Road and Ocean View Drive as Caltrans completes a culvert replacement project.

Crews have reduced the two-lane highway down to one lane and traffic could be delayed by as much as 20 minutes through the project’s conclusion later this month, Public Information Officer Myles Cochrane told the Wild Rivers Outpost on Tuesday.

This project includes other culvert replacements on Route 197 and has been ongoing since August, Cochrane said. Its goal is to optimize drainage ahead of the rainy season and to improve fish passage, he said. The culvert replacement project required one full closure of Route 197 earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, Caltrans crews continues to repave U.S. 199 through Hiouchi. Myles said they’re working from south to north from mile marker 4.2 to 11 and expect to wrap up in mid October.

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