Date:  Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Contact: Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, 360-788-7400 (Bellingham)
Katie Skipper, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5947 (Burlington) 

WSDOT will close one lane of State Route 542 east of Maple Falls by the end of the week in advance of emergency repairs to the adjacent riverbank, eroded by high water after recent storms.

The road is still safe for drivers, but it is becoming increasingly unstable. Crews will close the lane closest to the river as a precaution. A temporary signal will direct alternating traffic through the open lane.

A 50,000 pound vehicle weight restriction imposed last week remains in effect for the eastbound lane.

Emergency work to shore up the riverbank and reinforce the road will begin as soon as officials obtain the necessary permits.

Officials hoped to start work Tuesday, but the project is on hold pending final permit approval. State and federal agencies and area tribes must sign off on the project.

Repairs would involve cutting down several trees that remain standing between the river and the road, leaving the roots behind to stabilize the riverbank. Crews will anchor logs to rocks along the bank so they can't be washed downstream. The logs will slow the flow of water past the bank, shifting the force of the river to the middle of the channel, protecting the bank and the road.

Once work begins, it will take about two weeks to complete. Crews may need to close both lanes occasionally to do the work. WSDOT will announce the closure schedule as it becomes available to give drivers time to plan their trips. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.

The river, swollen after recent storms, eroded and undercut the riverbank, sending a number of trees crashing down.

Contractor Pacific Road and Bridge will perform the repair work. WSDOT awarded the emergency contract to the company because it is building the new Boulder Creek Bridge, so its crews and equipment are nearby. According to early estimates, engineers expect the project to cost up to $250,000.

< Back to News Home