What was the timetable for the slides and the slide repair projects?
September 11, 2005
The first slide along I-90 occurred at milepost 50 in the early morning hours of September 11, 2005. This slide killed three young women. WSDOT closed the road and spent 13 hours stabilizing the slopes.
November 6, 2005
The second slide occurred at milepost 58 in the early morning hours of November 6. No one was hurt in this slide. As a precaution, WSDOT crews closed the road in both directions for 53 hours then put in place an emergency contract with Scarcella Brothers stabilize the slope. WSDOT crews closed two of four lanes to work on the slope. The two lanes remained closed through 1 p.m., Dec. 14, 2005.
January 2006
WSDOT geologist delivered a complete report to Gov. Gregoire assessing and ranking all the state’s unstable slopes. The top three, all on I-90, at milepost 66 needed immediate attention. In June, WSDOT contracted with Scarsella Brothers to stabilize these three highest at-risk slopes.
November 6, 2006
The work on all three slopes is complete, exactly one year after the November slide.
Where did the slides occur?
- The September slide occurred at milepost 50.
- The November slide occurred at milepost 58.
- The three slide work locations finished this week are at milepost 66 within several hundred feet of each other.
How long was the road closed?
- After the September slide, the road was closed for 13 hours.
- After the November slide, the road was closed for 53 hours.
- The road was narrowed to one lane in each direction from November 8 to December 14.
- Crews created a bypass lane in July 2006 and worked from the westbound shoulder for three months.
How many locations have we fixed?
On I-90, we repaired the slide at milepost 50 and 58. We returned in July to stabilize three spots at milepost 66.
Is this part of Governor Christine Gregoire’s slope stabilization list?
The slopes ranked number one, two and three on the unstable slope list released in January 2006.
When will WSDOT repair the other slopes?
Repairing the 2500 unstable slopes on the list will take many years and millions of dollars. WSDOT will fix the worst slopes first and work its way down the list.
How much did this slope repair cost?
The legislature allocated $5.4 million for this project at milepost 66. Emergency funds were used to stabilize slopes in September and November.