WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Emergency work reportedly began March 22, 2026, on northbound I-5 south of Bellingham to clear debris from slides that occurred the night of March 19, 2026. The slides deposited 2,000 to 3,000 cubic yards of debris down a 60- to 80-foot slope, creating a debris field 100 feet wide between mileposts 248 and 249.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Governor Bob Ferguson issued statements Saturday, March 21, 2026. Ferguson said work was underway on an emergency contract to hire a contractor to clear the debris from the roadway.
WSDOT said geotechnical engineers had been onsite and were forming a plan to stabilize the slope. Emergency work to clear the roadway could not begin until the slope is stabilized.
As of March 23, 2026, both northbound lanes of I-5 remain closed from N Lake Samish Road interchange at milepost 246 to the Old Fairhaven Parkway (SR11) interchange at milepost 250. All northbound traffic is being diverted off I-5 at the N Lake Samish Road off-ramp. Flaggers are controlling the off-ramp intersection during daylight hours. Travelers are advised to use Chuckanut Drive (SR11) or Valley Highway (SR9) as alternate routes. Freight traffic is restricted from using Chuckanut Drive and local roads.
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WSDOT signed an emergency contract with Interwest Construction Inc. on March 21, 2026, to clear the debris. Equipment arrived the same day, and clearing operations started March 22, 2026. Work is limited to daylight hours.
WSDOT expects to finalize a geotechnical engineering report early this week and will provide a repair timeline by Wednesday, March 25, 2026. An estimate for reopening the lanes is currently unavailable.
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