Date:  Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Contact: Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 654-0697
Summer Derrey, WSDOT Communications, (509) 945-4584

Get current information

YAKIMA – Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to know WSDOT has shortened the SR 410 closure from 47 miles to four miles after a massive landslide on October 11, 2009. Currently, SR 410 is closed from milepost 104, the west intersection of the Nile Loop Road, and at milepost 108, the east intersection of the Nile Loop Road.

Earlier today, Governor Chris Gregoire proclaimed an emergency in Yakima County because of the damage to SR 410. The governor’s emergency proclamation directs state agencies and departments to utilize state resources and assist affected areas to recover from the event. This proclamation allows WSDOT to pursue federal emergency relief funds to finance the repair work.

WSDOT and the contractor, Selland Construction Inc., of Wenatchee, started work today to restore a route around the landslide for emergency services and limited local access. The temporary route around the damaged section of SR 410 is the first step to re-connect services to businesses and those who live along SR 410 beyond the slide area. No east-west through traffic will be allowed on this emergency route. Through traffic will need to use US 12, SR 123, or I-90.

WSDOT is working on the next step to provide a temporary solution to better handle winter conditions, with snow and ice and changing river conditions. WSDOT is gathering information with the goal of a long term fix.

WSDOT offers a number of ways for people to get up-to-date information:

• Call the emergency hotline (509) 577-1635
• Sign-up for e-mail updates regarding the SR 410 Nile Valley landslide and closure
• View photos of the landslide on SR 410 at Flickr
• Watch video taken of the landslide on YouTube
• Follow the progress on the project page

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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