Good news for Port Orchard and South Kitsap commuters: access to SR 16 and 166 near Gorst are to open at noon on Saturday, Aug. 6.

In a news release distributed Aug. 5, the Washington State Department of Transportation said it thanks commuters for their patience while crews replace narrow culverts with 18-foot-wide concrete box culverts as part of its Fish Passage Program.

Highway 166, the primary route into Port Orchard, has been closed at SR 16 since mid-June for the culvert work.

Within the next few weeks, WDOT crews will shift both lanes of eastbound SR 16 into the highway median. The speed limit on eastbound SR 16 will be reduced from 60 mph to 40 mph through the work zone. At the same time, Anderson Hill Road will close to all traffic at Anderson Creek.

WDOT said it will announce specific closure times and dates when scheduled.

Motorists can stay updated on closure information via the Olympic Region Weekly Construction Update.