WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported that while the eastern portion from Winthrop to Porcupine Creek (milepost 156) opened on April 30, 2026, the western portion remains closed at Colonial Creek Campground (milepost 130). Vehicles, hikers, bikers and campers are not permitted on the roadway between milepost 130 and 156.
The closure is attributed to roadway damage. On December 12, 2025, rainfall caused washouts between mileposts 142 and 148 when water bypassed culverts and undermined the roadway. On March 17, 2026, a rockslide occurred near milepost 131.
Current conditions requiring mitigation include the following.
- 3 locations requiring embankment reconstruction
- over 1,000 feet of undermined or collapsed roadway
- 15 damaged or buried culverts
- 1 to 2 miles of asphalt shoulder and over 1,000 feet of guardrail and concrete barrier requiring restoration
WSDOT has estimated reopening on July 4, 2026. The agency recently negotiated 2 emergency contracts with 24-hour work provisions for repairs.
Interwest Construction Inc. began a 30-day contract on May 5, 2026, to stabilize the slope and remove debris at milepost 131. A second contract, scheduled to begin the week of May 11, 2026, will rebuild embankments, restore the roadway and replace drainage systems between milepost 142 and 148.
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