Date:  Friday, May 16, 2008

Contact: Sam Arola, Maintenance Supervisor, 360-606-1806
Jeremy Wright, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2078

MOUNT ST. HELENS – After a record winter, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reopened Mt. St. Helens’ Spirit Lake Memorial Highway (State Route 504) to the Johnston Ridge Observatory at 7 a.m. on Friday, May 16. The Johnston Ridge Observatory will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on May 16.

“There are no issues with snow slides or avalanches at this time and we are proud to report that WSDOT maintenance crews were able to safely open the highway in time for the anniversary celebration this weekend,” said WSDOT spokesperson Jeremy Wright.

WSDOT crews will continue to closely monitor SR 504 and other roadways in the region for avalanches and slides per normal procedure.

State Route 504 east of Coldwater Lake (mile post 45) has been closed since December 2007 due to heavy snowfall. WSDOT closes State Route 504 each year due to hazardous snow conditions and the possibility of avalanches in some spots. The highway is reopened in the spring when it is determined that no further significant snowfall is likely to occur.

The public may obtain more information about the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument by visiting the United State Forest Service’s Web page at: www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/.

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