Construction workers are expected to finish emergency repairs on state Highway 501 today, reopening the roadway to two lanes, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT closed the eastbound lane of the highway last month, after a landslide damaged part of the shoulder. The slide eroded part of the highway’s foundation, leaving a section of guardrail hanging in space at one point.
Workers excavated 420 truckloads of loose soil and debris before rebuilding the hillside with new rock. Crews also repaved part of the roadway, and replaced a 120-foot section of guardrail, according to WSDOT.
During construction, the highway was reduced to one lane, controlled by a temporary traffic signal and flaggers. During the next two weeks, drivers will still encounter short-term, single-lane closures while overhead utility lines are reinstalled, according to WSDOT.
The repairs cost an estimated $500,000.
