Drivers traveling between Cathlamet and Puget Island should expect delays this week as maintenance crews carry out fiber optic cable restoration along State Route 409 in Wahkiakum County. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that the work will take place today and tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crews will be operating between mileposts 0 and 0.5, a short but critical section of the highway that connects the island community to the mainland via the Puget Island bridge. While delays are expected to be intermittent, drivers should plan extra time for travel, particularly during peak morning and afternoon hours.

The work involves restoring fiber optic cables, essential for communications and connectivity in the region. Coordination between WSDOT and a private utility contractor aims to minimize disruptions while ensuring that services are restored efficiently.

Wahkiakum County residents who rely on SR 409 for daily commuting or access to the ferry between Puget Island and Westport should take precautions and consider alternate departure times if possible.

Those seeking the latest updates on traffic conditions can visit WSDOT’s real-time travel map for current information.

Sources: KLOG News: “Delays on State Route 409 in Wahkiakum County”; WSDOT Real-Time Travel Information.