Construction to replace outdated culverts that run under State Route 8 on the Middle and East Forks of Wildcat Creek for improved fish passage near McCleary is nearing its final phase, according to the State Department of Transportation.

Crews are months ahead of schedule in replacing the culverts with bridges, and expect to shift traffic at the site to allow final work to be completed. The shift, which is weather-dependent, could happen as soon as the beginning of October and involves removing the temporary crossover that reduced traffic to one lane in each direction and provided work zones from which the four bridges were built.

Once the traffic shift is complete, travelers will follow the original lane designations with one lane in each direction. Traffic will be fully restored to two lanes in each direction upon completion of the project. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current configuration and one lane of westbound traffic will be shifted back onto the westbound roadway. The speed limit will stay reduced to 45 mph until the project is complete.

Remaining work on the project includes installing cable barrier, planting vegetation, removing temporarily illumination poles and completing final pavement markings. That work will require crews to close a single lane around the clock for the next few weeks. The State Department of Transportation expects to be out of the project area for good by the end of the year.