PORT ANGELES — Construction work on U.S. Highway 101 west of state Highway 112 began last week, creating multiple backups and delaying drivers by as much as 45 minutes.

Less severe backups continued Wednesday and throughout the rest of the week.

“We had a very large backup Tuesday morning,” said Jerry Moore, state Department of Transportation project supervisor.

Transportation officials, on being notified of the severe backups, went to the site and reorganized the contractor’s traffic management system, Moore said.

Too-long section

The problem was that the contractor closed off a too-long section of road, creating very long waits between pilot-car-led groups, Moore said.

Crews shortened the sections, which reduced the wait beginning Tuesday afternoon, he said.

The delays are expected to continue, and there may be more than one delay at a time as crews grind one section while they pave another, he said.

The current work is one section of an 11.6-mile-long paving project on U.S. Highway 101, from the Tumwater Truck Route to Lake Sutherland, grinding pavement and laying new asphalt.

Night paving on a section between Tumwater Truck Route and state Highway 112 was completed last week, and the project moved to the day-work phase between state Highway 112 and Lake Sutherland this week.

Bird activity

Because of endangered bird activity in that area, including that of spotted owls and marbled murrelet, crews will be limited to working only daylight hours through Sept. 15.

After Sept. 15, the contractor will be able to work as needed.

If necessary, crews may work day and night to meet the deadline, Moore said.

The project is expected to last 60 working days from the July 25 project start date.

Clallam County Transit buses traveling between Port Angeles and Forks have been as much as 30 minutes late at the end of their routes, said transit dispatcher Bob Kuhn.

“Like everyone else, we’re seeing delays,” Kuhn said.

However, buses are leaving on time, so there is no buildup of late buses, he said.

“There is ample time for the turnaround,” he said.

Travelers should check bus schedules to make sure they have plenty of time for connections.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.