US 2 to remain closed east of Skykomish

SKYKOMISH – Washington State Department of Transportation will continue to keep US 2 closed between Skykomish and the summit at Stevens Pass until further notice. Heavy rainfall from Tuesday’s storm caused a significant amount of erosion underneath a bridge’s foundation just east of Skykomish at milepost 54.

There is no estimate of when the roadway will reopen to traffic and no available detour. WSDOT crews will allow emergency vehicles to cross the bridge.

“The creek washed away a large amount of material that supports the eastern half of this bridge,” said WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Dave McCormick. “To keep drivers safe, we have closed the bridge to all but emergency vehicles. Our engineers are currently working on an emergency contract to reopen the bridge to traffic.”

This section of US 2 first closed to traffic on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17, because of two mudslides.

“We routinely check bridges after a storm to look for any potential damage,” said McCormick. ”We understand this highway is critical to the region and will work to reopen the bridge to traffic as soon as possible.”

Next steps
Bridge engineers will be back out on the site at daylight on Thursday, Nov. 19, to develop plans for repair of the structure.

WSDOT is seeking emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration to complete the need repairs.

This bridge was last inspected on Aug. 19, 2015. WSDOT inspects this bridge every other year as part of its bridge inspection program.