Date:  Friday, April 30, 2010

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5970 (Burlington)

NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY – Crews will close both lanes of State Route 20 for two hours next week to remove some unstable rocks above the highway near Marblemount.

Maintenance crews found and cleared up a small rockslide from the highway on Tuesday night, April 27. Upon further investigation, crews found more rock and debris on the hillside that could become a hazard to drivers in the near future.

Crews will close the highway at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, six miles east of Marblemount to safely break the material loose from the hillside and then clear it from the roadway.

Drivers should expect lengthy backups and delays. There are no detour routes. The closure and delays could be cut in half if crews can safely clean and open one lane and use flaggers to alternate traffic after bringing down the debris.

Drivers that receive the North Cascades e-mail update will get an e-mail as soon the pass reopens. Sign up for the e-mail by going to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/emailupdates.  

Crews around the state are constantly on the watch for changing conditions on and near the road. Even a handful of rocks along the shoulder can be an indicator of a potential trouble spot for the trained eye.

“We are fortunate to have experienced employees who know this highway well and know what to look for,” said maintenance superintendent Gary Ward. “Their dedication and skill can make an event like this an inconvenience to drivers rather than a tragedy.”

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