The Washington State Department of Transportation is moving forward with a paving project along US 101 that will affect travelers through Humptulips, Neilton and Amanda Park.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is moving forward with a paving project along US 101 that will affect travelers through Humptulips, Neilton and Amanda Park. The project will repave approximately 13 miles of roadway and include Complete Streets improvements aimed at making the highway safer and more accessible for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.
The paving work is divided into two sections. The southern section runs between East Humptulips Road and Donkey Creek Road. The northern section stretches from Burn Road to Prairie Creek Road, also known as Forest Service Road 2190. The project area covers several small communities that rely heavily on US 101 for access to schools, services and businesses.
WSDOT is currently seeking public input as part of the planning process. An online open house is available through May 6, 2026, where residents can review project information and complete a survey. Community feedback collected during this phase will help shape the final design.
An in-person open house is also scheduled at the Amanda Park Timberland Library on Wednesday, April 29, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event will be held in a drop-in format, allowing visitors to ask questions and review project materials at their convenience.
The project is currently in the pre-design phase. During this stage, engineers and planners gather data, study traffic patterns and coordinate with local agencies to develop proposed concepts. Public feedback is incorporated before the project moves into formal design.
The primary goal of the project is to repave US 101 within the designated limits. In addition to paving, the project may include updates to striping, drainage systems, guardrails and signage. Maintaining pavement conditions helps preserve the underlying roadway structure and reduces the risk of costly emergency repairs.
A major component of the project involves Complete Streets improvements designed to improve safety and accessibility.
In Humptulips, WSDOT is proposing a shared-use path along the west side of US 101. The path would connect transit stops to Kirkpatrick Road and nearby destinations such as the grocery store and post office. A marked pedestrian crossing with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon is also proposed near the park-and-ride facility. Plastic curbing would be installed at the northwest corner of the US 101 and Kirkpatrick Road intersection to shorten crossing distances and help separate vehicle movements.
In Neilton, proposed improvements focus on transit stops. Those upgrades will be coordinated with a Grays Harbor Transit facilities study that is expected to be completed in 2027.
In Amanda Park, WSDOT is proposing a shared-use path along the north side of US 101. The path would connect the Lake Quinault School District with businesses near Lake Drive North. The project also proposes removing the existing climbing lane in Amanda Park after traffic data showed it is used infrequently and does not significantly benefit large trucks.
Some of the pavement west of the school would remain to create a slow-vehicle turnout area. Repurposing the climbing lane is expected to reduce construction impacts, improve stormwater runoff by reducing asphalt, lower vehicle conflict points and encourage slower driving speeds. The change would also create additional space for a right-turn lane into the school.
The project timeline began with data collection and coordination in mid-2025, followed by traffic analysis and concept development in early 2026. Community engagement is taking place this spring, with final refinements expected between May and July 2026, marking the end of the pre-design phase.
US 101 serves as a key north-south transportation corridor across the Olympic Peninsula. It connects communities including the Quinault Indian Nation, Forks and Hoquiam, and is used by drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. Currently, the highway lacks sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes in many areas, leaving pedestrians and cyclists to use roadway shoulders.
Safety improvements are a major focus of the project. Between 2020 and 2025, 42 crashes were reported within the project limits, including two fatal or serious injury crashes along with several crashes involving possible or minor injuries.
The estimated cost to design and construct the project is $13.75 million. Final costs may change depending on design details and contractor bids.
Following the public input period, WSDOT will use community feedback to refine the design concept before sharing draft plans with the public and stakeholders for further review.
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