Good News! The Highway is expected to open by Friday, June 19

information released

photo above: Contractor crews began repaving damaged section of SR 20/North Cascades Highway on Friday, June 5. SR 20 remains closed between Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 134) and Porcupine Creek (milepost 156) until repairs are complete. The highway was damaged in several areas by washouts during December’s atmospheric river weather events.

A North Cascades Highway newsletter on a Tuesday? That must mean…

SR 20 North Cascades Highway expected to open by Friday, June 19

This is about a week earlier than the June 25 date we had originally shared! Crews are paving this week and have a few more things to do before we’re ready to reopen, but as long as the weather conditions remain favorable, we’re looking at a full reopening in time for the Juneteenth holiday.

The work completed, the work that remains

Since May 13, Sedro-Woolley’s Trimaxx Construction Inc. has worked seven days a week to repair washout damage between Canyon Creek Trailhead and the Granite Creek vicinity (mileposts 142-148). Necessary repairs along this 6-mile section of highway included:

  • Three locations where the embankment supporting the roadway needed to be rebuilt
  • More than 1,000 feet of lane that was undermined or collapsed
  • Approximately 2 miles of damaged or collapsed asphalt shoulder
  • Approximately 3 miles of damaged ditch line
  • More than 1,000 feet of damaged guardrail and concrete barrier
  • About 15 damaged or buried culverts

What’s left to do? In addition to finishing paving, remaining work includes grinding rumble strips and areas for reflective pavement markings, grading rock on the highway shoulders, replacing guardrail, landscaping and erosion prevention, and installing lane striping.

As this project nears completion, you can take a look at some of the newest photos on our SR 20 Flickr album.

Remains an active work zone until the road reopens

Until it fully reopens, we expect that SR 20 will remain an active work zone seven days a week between Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 134) and Porcupine Creek (milepost 156). That means no access is permitted within the closure area, including for hikers, cyclists, and campers.

While “bike day” isn’t an official day, sometimes road clearing wraps up a day or two ahead of the scheduled opening, allowing bicyclists to enjoy the route before the gates were lifted. However, this only happens when we are not actively conducting work on the road, and this year, crews are working seven days a week to address repairs and ensure the highway is safe for everyone.

The route is vital for freight movement, local businesses, and residents, so we strive to open it to all users the moment it is ready.

I know this is disappointing news to cyclists and other recreators, but this wasn’t a normal year.

Photos: Crews continue to repair several severely damaged sections of SR 20 between Canyon Creek Trailhead and Granite Creek. North Cascades Highway remains closed between Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 140) and Porcupine Creek (milepost 156) until that work finishes.

Please keep an eye on our real-time travel map, which will reflect the road’s current status and will update once it reopens in full.

Farewell for now

As I mentioned in my introductory message several weeks ago, this was my first time handling this newsletter, and I’ve so enjoyed the notes you sent me. Whether it was a thank you, a personal story, or constructive criticism, I read them all, and they all contributed to making me a better communicator.

I expect by the time SR 20 closes for the winter, we’ll have a new North Central Region communications manager in place who will write these updates. If you follow WSDOT’s social media channels, I’ll see you there.

Otherwise, take care, travel safe, and enjoy the (soon-to-be) open road.

Rachel Terlep, Statewide Social Media Manager
rachel.terlep@wsdot.wa.gov