New estimate for reopening the North Cascades Highway announced

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) expects to fully reopen the North Cascades Highway (SR20) by Friday, June 19, 2026, according to a June 8, 2026 travel advisory.

According to WSDOT, reopening depends on weather conditions and a lack of unexpected obstacles. A section of the highway between Ross Dam Trailhead at milepost 134 and Porcupine Creek at milepost 156 has been closed since April 30, 2026, due to washout damage from December 2025.

Crews began repaving damaged road sections on Friday, June 5, 2026. It is expected that paving work will be completed this week if weather conditions remain dry.

Trimaxx Construction Inc. began work on May 13, 2026, to repair washout damage between Canyon Creek Trailhead and the Granite Creek vicinity from milepost 142 to milepost 148. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, repairs along this 6-mile section include:

3 locations where the embankment supporting the roadway required rebuilding
more than 1,000 feet of undermined or collapsed lane
approximately 2 miles of damaged or collapsed asphalt shoulder
approximately 3 miles of damaged ditch line
more than 1,000 feet of damaged guardrail and concrete barrier
about 15 damaged or buried culverts

According to WSDOT, Trimaxx Construction Inc. has operated 7 days a week and expects to complete repairs before the emergency contract working days expire on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Remaining tasks include grinding rumble strips, grinding areas for reflective pavement markings, grading rock on highway shoulders, replacing guardrail, landscaping, erosion prevention and installing lane striping.

The North Cascades Highway remains an active work zone between Ross Dam Trailhead and Porcupine Creek, and the WSDOT does not permit access for hikers, bikers, or campers. The westside closure point was moved to Ross Dam Trailhead on May 30, 2026, following the completion of repairs on a rockslide area near Diablo Lake.