WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation provided the following updates yesterday, December 9th, regarding Whatcom County roads damaged during recent flood events.
Lawrence Road (SR9) – reopened
Crews worked last week to remove damaged portions of Lawrence Road (SR9) near Nugents Corner north of Mount Baker Highway (SR542). Once damaged road had been removed, they rebuilt the washed-out embankment and repaved the roadbed. The road was reopened to all traffic at 7am on Friday, December 3rd.
Everson Road (SR544) at the Nooksack River bridge
WSDOT contractor crews have been working to pump the water out of this area in Everson, however it’s still too high for to be inspected. Next week, divers will be onsite to assess the bridge. For now, travel remains limited to a single lane with a temporary signal across the bridge. The pedestrian walkway will also stay closed while crews determine if any additional repairs are needed. Pedestrians will need to use the walkway on the northwestern side of the highway until further notice.
Mount Baker Highway (SR542)
Repair work on State Route 542 at milepost 39 (near Nooksack Falls) is expected to finish around December 14th. After that, crews will move to repairs at both mileposts 42 and 45, which they will work on at the same time.
Click for more information
Click for more informationSince this is the direct route to the Mount Baker Ski Resort and snow is in the forecast, the crews are communicating with the resort so that when it opens and skiers and snowboarders head up the mountain, WSDOT can support traffic control to get folks there, while maintaining a safe work zone for our crews.
Mount Baker Highway at Boulder Creek and Bruce Creek
Floodwaters at Boulder Creek and Bruce Creek (near milepost 28) washed away the Mount Baker Highway shoulder and eroded some of the embankment. Contractor crews have been able to remove enough debris to keep the water off the road.
This week they were also able to dig out and reestablish the channel for Bruce Creek and water is now flowing through the structure. Work began Thursday at Boulder Creek where they will regrade the stream adjacent to the creek and repair the shoulder. As a reminder, crews are working 7 days per week at this site.