Date:
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Contact:
Will Keepers, WSDOT Engineer, (360) 880-3042 (Chehalis)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 852-2537 (Vancouver)
CHEHALIS – Currently closed section of State Route 6 will reopen on a limited basis during daylight hours starting Saturday morning, December 29, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The reopening will only be possible with adequate visibility and the road may close again during periods of low visibility such as foggy or snowy conditions, or a big rain event.
One lane of SR 6 will be open on Saturday morning after WSDOT engineers determine that there is adequate visibility for spotters to be able to gauge the stability of the slope and safety of the motorists. Two spotters and a flagger will be posted at the site while the road is open to traffic.
Drivers are warned that the previously closed roadway still has some sections where lanes are narrow and there is gravel over the roadway as a temporary fix for some of the flood damage. Additionally, because only one direction of traffic will be open at a time, motorists may experience some delays. WSDOT asks that drivers take caution through the entire SR 6 closure area.
“We recognized that this is a very inconvenient closure, but safety of the public is our first priority,” said Don Wagner, WSDOT Regional Administrator. “We determined that with spotters and adequate daylight, we can safely open, even if on a limited basis.”
SR 6 has been closed in Pacific and Lewis Counties from the vicinity of Elk Prairie Road (mile post 19) to the vicinity of Meyer Road (mile post 27). The closure has been necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and work crews from a very unstable slope just west of Pe Ell, at mile post 27, as well as numerous other slides and other damage within the closure area.
During the December storm which caused severe damage in Lewis County, a major land slide occurred on SR 6, at mile post 27, just west of Pe Ell, cutting off access to motorists and creating severely dangerous conditions on the slope above the roadway. While the enormous volume of debris has been cleared off the road, the potential for further slides is possible and would result in an immediate closure to the public.
The unstable slope will be repaired as soon as geotechnical experts can drill into the mountain, approximately 300 feet deep, to determine the nature of the slope and what needs to be done in order to stabilize it, making the roadway once again safe for motorists. The drilling work, however, cannot begin until a stretch of dry weather occurs in order to minimize the unsafe conditions for the crews.
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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
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