Crews working for the state Department of Transportation soon will kick off the first of two significant traffic changes in the McCleary area.

March 30

Following the evening commute, crews will close the intersection of State Route 8 and State Route 108 to all traffic. During the closure, drivers will be detoured via the nearby Mox Chehalis Road interchange.

April 10

Weather permitting, crews will reduce State Route 8 in McCleary to one lane in each direction using a traffic shift, and the speed limit will decrease from 60 mph to 45 mph. The traffic shift could be delayed and rescheduled due to weather.

Both the intersection closure and lane restrictions will be in place around the clock through summer 2019. Impacts to traffic are expected to be minimal, however during clam tides and hot summer weekends, drivers are advised to expect short delays.

The changes create work zones from which to build new bridges associated with a fish passage project to improve the flow of Wildcat Creek under State Route 8 near McCleary.