Date:  Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contact: Dustin Terpening, WSDOT communications, 360-757-5997
Chris Damitio, WSDOT project engineer, 360-788-7400

DEMING – Crews will reopen SR 542 (Mount Baker Highway) to a full two lanes at night just east of Deming starting tonight. The highway has been reduced to one lane since Friday, Jan. 9, after a mudslide came across the road. Daytime work and lane closures will continue into next week.

Crews replaced a damaged culvert on Tuesday morning and will reestablish a channel to ensure that a nearby stream can flow under the highway. While crews are reestablishing the stream, drivers will face some daytime traffic restrictions.

Crews have been working around the clock since the slide came down Jan. 8 to remove debris and repair damage to the existing roadway. The slide damaged a culvert that diverts water under the highway, knocked down power poles and lines and undermined a 300-foot section of the road.

To view pictures of the mudslide and road damage, visit our Flickr site at www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157612329354100/.  

As this is an active slide area, as well as a work area, there are still many dangers present. The contractor has asked that the public stay away from this area.

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