Date:  Friday, October 23, 2009

Contact: Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 654-0697
Todd Trepanier, WSDOT Maintenance and Operations, (509) 728-7423

YAKIMA –WSDOT and contractor crews started construction on the SR 410 temporary winter-durable detour around a section of SR 410 that was damaged by a massive landslide on Oct. 11. The new route will replace the emergency detour on Nile Loop Road.

“Currently drivers can use the emergency detour to get around the landslide,” said Todd Trepanier, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations. “We need to construct a new detour that allows the river to get around the landslide.”

To create the new detour route, crews are building a new section of the SR 410 detour, moving it away from the river and across the valley. The landslide that destroyed the highway also permanently changed the landscape and river dynamics of the Nile Valley. Yakima County’s quick response to negotiate permission for detour construction is the reason construction could move forward. Experts fear the river will weaken the stability of the slide and wash large amounts of sediment downstream. Moving the detour protects it from the river and maintains this critical access for homes and businesses along SR 410. WSDOT hopes to complete construction on the detour by the end of November.

The current SR 410 emergency route, which detours around a four-mile section between mileposts 104 and 108, remains open to all drivers. Drivers should be prepared for a rough, graveled surface. WSDOT could close the roadway for the safety of drivers at anytime if landslide activity or an increase in river flows is detected.

WSDOT is seeking federal emergency funding for the landslide emergency response, the detour construction, and river channel work. The total cost is estimated to be as much as $8 million.

While keeping the roadway open is important for residents and businesses along the SR 410 corridor, motorist safety will not be compromised. For now, the most reliable access to the restaurants, cabins, and stores along the SR 410 corridor is from the west over Chinook Pass. WSDOT will keep Chinook Pass open until heavy snows create unavoidable avalanche danger.

WSDOT and contractor crews continue work in several sections of the five-mile Nile Loop Road and drivers should expect delays due to construction activities. Safety is WSDOT’s number one priority and drivers will not be allowed to stop or park on the emergency route.

WSDOT offers a number of ways for people to get up-to-date information:
• Call the transportation hotline (509) 577-1635
• Sign-up for e-mail updates regarding the SR 410 Nile Valley landslide and closure
• View photos of the landslide on SR 410 at Flickr
• Watch video taken of the landslide on YouTube
• Call the Yakima County Emergency Management hotline (509) 574-1900

< Go Back