Project news

• This project was awarded to Granite Construction Company on Aug. 20, 2020
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Needs & benefits

A single lane of State Route 4, west of Cathlamet, is now open after a landslide closed the highway in both directions on Jan. 23, about 10 miles west of Cathlamet, between milepost 19 near Shannon Road and milepost 26 near Mullen Road. 

Traffic will alternate through the area via the eastbound lane. The westbound lane will remain closed while contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation continue work to remove approximately 50,000 cubic yards of debris.

On Monday, Jan. 27, WSDOT awarded an emergency repair contract to Nutter Corporation and cleanup work began on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Crews are working with extreme caution and closely monitoring the hillside.

Using video of the slide captured with drone technology and ongoing hillside assessments, WSDOT Engineering Geologists are continuing work to develop a long-term fix to stabilize the hillside.

Engineering geologists evaluated the hillside and determined it is safe to allow a single-lane of traffic back on to the highway. A temporary barrier is in place to separate traffic from the hillside, which creates a safe workplace for crews while also protecting drivers.

More information about WSDOT’s work to prevent and respond to unstable slopes and landslides is available on the WSDOT Blog.

Debris removal and slope stabilization work continues, following the landslide on SR 4 west of Cathlamet.

Watch new drone video

Next steps

• Travelers on both directions of the highway will alternate through a single lane around the clock with a temporary traffic signal until the project is complete. 
• For safety, the speed limit through the area is reduced to 25 mph. 
• Travelers may encounter intermittent extended delays of up to 20 minutes, while crews continue work to stabilize the hillside.

Timeline

• January 2020 - Slide blocked the highway
• January 2020 - Emergency repair contract awarded to Nutter Corporation
• Summer 2020 - Project awarded 
• Fall 2020 - Construction tentatively scheduled to begin