COVID-19
For the latest COVID-19 health guidance, statistics and resources, visit Coronavirus.wa.gov.
Due to roadway settlement from heavy rainfall, both directions of State Route 401, also known as Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, between the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Naselle are closed. The soil beneath the road near milepost 4.5 is too unstable to allow vehicles safely through and the entire stretch of highway was closed on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
Our geotechnical engineers are gathering extensive information in the field to help determine a long-term fix to stabilize and reopen the highway. However, because of the substantial damage caused to the roadway, long-term repairs will likely take months to complete and there is currently no estimated time for reopening the highway.
As part of our proactive stabilization efforts, we continually evaluate slopes based on several factors. This section of highway is a known unstable slope, one of many that we track and manage adjacent to state highways. It was recently re-evaluated and ranked near the top of our repair list. If the slope had not suddenly failed, repair work was scheduled in the next couple of years.
Following a thorough evaluation of field data, WSDOT geotechnical engineers have determined that emergency contractor crews can build a temporary bypass road around the damaged section of roadway.
With the opening of the temporary bypass road along SR 401, the Dismal Nitch Rest Area, east of the Astoria-Megler Bridge is now open.
The cost of this project is estimated at approximately $2 million
Financial Data for PIN 440123S | ||||||||||||
|
Joanna Lowrey
Project Engineer
(360) 442-1350
Celeste Dimichina
Communications
(360) 905-2057