Date:  Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Contact: Amanda Sullivan, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1942
Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1618
Vern Redifer, P.E., Director, Yakima County Public Works, (509) 574-2300

YAKIMA - Another major shift is in store for people who depend on an all-weather route through the Nile Valley, 22 miles west of Yakima.

Due to forecasted flooding, WSDOT shifted traffic onto the 4,000-foot-long SR 410 detour on Monday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. after crews finished working for the day. After traffic was shifted, Yakima County started cutting through the current temporary detour in two places to divert the river away from the base of the landslide. Diverting the river around the landslide minimizes landslide erosion risks; a proactive measure to combat eventual increases in river flows.
Diversion of the Naches River into the new river channel started on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The new detour moves the roadway away from the river channel and landslide, following the western edge of the Nile Valley. WSDOT reminds motorists to please drive with caution and be prepared for delays associated with construction operations.

“WSDOT and our agency partners, along with Nile Valley residents and construction crews, have accomplished truly remarkable feats within a one month timeframe,” said WSDOT Regional Administrator Don Whitehouse. “Because of these partnerships, drivers have a safe, reliable, and durable transportation route around the Nile Valley landslide.”

“Everyone worked together under an incredibly tight timeline and against all odds to divert the river away from the slide to protect lives, property, infrastructure, and natural resources,” said Yakima County Public Services Director Vern Redifer. “That we have been successful is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of all those involved.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will coordinate a stranded fish removal effort in collaboration with fish biologists from nine other agencies and groups. When the county’s river diversion is complete the fish removal teams will use several techniques to safely catch fish stranded in the old river channel and release them back into unobstructed waters.

For more information about these efforts, please visit WSDOT’s project Web site.

For general 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

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