WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced today, Saturday, December 20, 2025, that they will be allowing a single lane of traffic to travel through a recently storm damaged section of the highway on a limited basis. The section of highway has been closed since December 12, 2025.
According to the WSDOT announcement, beginning Sunday, December 21, 2025, the section of road will be reopened between 6am and 6pm daily through the holidays. Traffic will be alternated through the 2.5-mile stretch. Motorists should expect delays.
Flaggers or temporary traffic signals will alternate eastbound and westbound traffic through a single lane between mileposts 41 and 44. People should expect delays.
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Click for more informationContractors working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are developing a strategy to make permanent repairs to SR 542. Details will be released when they are finalized.
Until 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, SR 542 remains closed east of Glacier (milepost 35). SR 542 closed after a series of soaking storms earlier this month flooded and damaged the roadway. WSDOT engineers have assessed the highway and determined temporary repairs have made SR 542 safe for travel in an alternating configuration until more permanent repairs can be finished in early 2026.
– Washington State Department of Transportation (December 20, 2025)
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The reopening is intended to restore winter recreation access near Mount Baker through the holidays.
The Mount Baker Ski Area followed the announcement with one of their own.
Merry Christmas Baker community . . . the snow is here and Hwy 542 will open tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m.!!!! So Mt. Baker will be in OPEN FOR PASSHOLDER DAY SUNDAY DEC. 21st, and will continue in FULL OPERATION FOR OPENING DAY MONDAY DEC. 22nd!
– Mount Baker Ski Area (December 20, 2025)
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