Transportation officials are dealing with a large weather system that resulted in more than 60 road closures in Washington in the last 12 hours. While WSDOT is keeping close watch on the potential for Pierce County flooding over I-5, experts expect portions of I-5 will go under water in Lewis County some time this evening.
If the current pattern of rising water continues, WSDOT is expecting to close I-5 in Lewis County around midnight tonight. The closure points would span 20 miles from exit 88 near the Lewis/Thurston county border south to exit 68, the US 12 interchange connecting with Morton and White Pass. WSDOT crews are monitoring the entire corridor and will immediately take the necessary measures to close the road if it becomes unsafe for vehicles.
Flooding in the Fife area could require the closure of I-5 in the area north of the Puyallup River Bridge. Precise timing is difficult to predict, but there is potential for the freeway to be closed prior to the conclusion of this afternoon’s rush hour.
Alternate routes are limited, with State Routes 167 and 512 being the most likely options for drivers. WSP and WSDOT are still determining the appropriate closure points.
All three major east-west mountain pass highways through the Cascade Mountains remain closed due to extreme avalanche danger and mudslides. These passes are not expected to open until crews have safe access to these highways and can assess avalanche danger and inspect roadways. WSDOT has pulled our crews back from working on Interstate 90 from MP 47 (Denny Creek) to MP 53 near the summit. This unexpected slide points out the serious risk to both highway workers and the traveling public along mountainous I-90, as well as other routes around the state. Until the rain lets up and soil conditions stabilize, I-90 will remain closed from North Bend to Ellensburg.
Route information is available at the WSDOT web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov and drivers are encouraged to check conditions along their entire route. WSDOT has established a county-by-county list of road closures at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/update/.
As of 4 p.m., this is a list of road closures around Washington:
Asotin County
SR 129 – Restricted with water over the roadway and slides. WSDOT crews are monitoring conditions.
Cowlitz County
I-5, Both directions at Exit 22 (milepost 22)
Both exit ramps are closed at Dike Road due to water over the roadway. On-ramps are currently open.
I-5, Northbound on-ramp at Huntington Avenue (milepost 48)
Northbound on-ramp at Huntington Avenue is closed due to flooding.
SR 411, Closed in both directions between Gray Road and Brewers Hill Road (mileposts 7-11)
Both directions of SR 411 is closed due to flooding.
SR 503, Closed both directions near Speelyai Creek Bridge (mileposts 32-32.5)
Both directions of SR 503 closed due to flooding over the roadway.
SR 504 near Kid Valley area (mileposts 17-20)
Two separate slides are blocking one lane at mp 17 and mp 20. Crews are working to clear the slide and traffic is getting through.
Lewis County
I-5, Off ramps at Exit 72 (milepost 72)
Northbound and southbound off ramps are closed at Exit 72 due to high water
SR 6, Closed to passenger vehicles in both directions due to flooding between Pe Ell and Doty (milepost 29.8-33)
Both directions of SR 6 are closed to passenger vehicles. Trucks have limited access.
SR 7, Closed both directions between Morton and the Lewis County Line (milepost 1-16)
Both directions of SR 7 is closed between Morton and the Lewis County Line for flooding over the roadway.
SR 508, Closed in both directions between Morton and Bear Canyon (mileposts 22-32)
Both directions of SR 508 has been closed due to severe flooding and water over the roadway. There is no ETA for reopening yet.
US 12, Closed in both directions near Mossyrock (mileposts 86-171)
Both directions of US 12 has been closed due to several mud slides and severe flooding over the roadway.
US 12, Both directions between I-5 and Morton (milepost 68-100)
Several slides have occurred on US 12 between milepost 68-100, and one lane is open to emergency vehicles only.
King County:
Both directions of SR 202 from Fall City to SE 40th Street in Fall City and from the Snoqualmie city limit to North Bend Way are closed due to water over the roadway. The closure began at 10:30 and will continue until further notice.
Both directions of SR 203 from Fall City to Carnation are closed due to water over the roadway.
SR 203 at Carnation Farm Road is open but there is water over the roadway.
US 2 – Stevens Pass is closed due to multiple slides and water over the roadway.
US 2 near Skykomish is closed due to water over the roadway.
SR 410 – Road is closed in both directions at Mud Mountain Road due to water over the roadway. The road is open for local access. Locals can also access many points east. As you get closer to milepost 45, there are small slides and debris on the roadway.
Kittitas County
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass – Just before noon today, a large landslide struck the Summit East ski area, at Snoqualmie Pass. Houses were moved off their foundations. No information is available about injuries or damage. Kittitas County emergency services are coordinating activities on the site.
US 97 Blewett Pass – Closed from Ellensburg to US 2 at Peshastin due to water, heavy snow and mud slides and debris over the roadway.
SR 10 – Remains closed from SR 970 near Cle Elum to Ellensburg due to mud slides and water over the roadway.
SR 970 – Power lines have been cleared from the roadway and the road is currently open.
Pacific County
US 101, Both directions in Raymond
Both directions on US 101 is experiencing water over the roadway.
Thurston County
SR 8 near the US 101 intersection is closed due to flooding and debris across the roadway. Drivers wishing to travel from Olympia to Aberdeen should take US 101 to SR 108 and then follow the route back to SR 8. Water over the roadway has blocked access to two communities on the Olympic Peninsula – SR 112 to Neah Bay in Clallam County in multiple locations and SR 110 to LaPush in Jefferson County.
Moving to the South Puget Sound area, Pierce County continues to get hit hard. SR 410 at Traffic Avenue in Sumner is closed and SR 165 into Carbonado near Church Street in the town of Wilkeson is also blocked. SR 161 in the vicinity 304th Street and Kapowsen Highway is open to a single-lane of alternating traffic. A seven-mile stretch of SR 162 is closed from Orville Road to just outside the town limits of South Prairie (milepost 11 to 17.5).
Snohomish
SR 530
Wahkiakum County
SR 4, Closed both directions near Rosburg (milepost 13-14)
Both directions of SR 4 is closed due to flooding.
SR 4, Both directions between the Nelson Creek Bridge and Cathlamet
(milepost 32-35)
Both directions on SR 4 between the Nelson Creek Bridge and Cathlamet city limit due to flooding.
Walla Walla County
SR 125 – Restricted with water over the roadway. WSDOT crews are monitoring conditions.
Yakima County
US 12 White Pass – Remains closed due to several slides and water over the roadway. WSDOT crews are actively working to clear the road way and the culverts under the roadway.
SR 410 – Remains closed due to falling and hazardous trees.
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