WSDOT - Snoqualmie Pass Rockslide Updates

10:00 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Travel restrictions lifted after snowfall and freezing rain cleared
The earlier traction tire advisory and oversize load prohibition is over at the summit. The speed limit is also back to normal. Keep in mind that oversize loads are prohibited through the rockslide work zone and the speed limit drops to 35 miles per hour. Currently traffic is moving smoothly through the work zone.

Weather returns to below freezing but dry
The temperature has dropped to the upper 20's but the road is bare and wet over the pass.

Work on the rock slope to pick up again at daybreak
With the first light of day, workers will return to continue their efforts of blasting apart large boulders in order to more easily remove them from the road. Crews are clearing a space to place a second crane drilling rig. The rig will speed up the effort to install bolts into the rocks above the road and stabilize slope.

8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Some areas of freezing rain near the summit
The snow stopped shortly after it started at Snoqualmie summit, but freezing rain is still falling east of the summit along Lake Keechelus. Fortunately the ice is not bonding to the roadway, but it is freezing to windshields and mirrors diminishing visibility. Please drive safely.

Thanks to all who altered their plans for traveling across the passes
During the peak travel time yesterday, noon to 6 p.m., less than half as many drivers traveled across I-90 Snoqualmie Pass as compared to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year. Traffic on I-90 on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving dropped from 44,664 in 2004 to 29,270 in 2005, a 34 percent reduction. Many drivers also helped by traveling across I-90 earlier or later in the day, when 2005 traffic counts increased over 2004. Drivers also appear to be heeding advice to keep their eyes on the road and keep their speed up to 35 miles per hour when driving through the rock slide work zone. When traffic is heavy, 10 percent more eastbound vehicles than expected are driving through the work zone. This also helps prevent traffic delays. At their worst, back-ups on Snoqualmie Pass yesterday stretched five miles and drivers spent 45 minutes in traffic. These delays were short lived.

Sunday will be the next traffic challenge
Please consider returning from your holiday destination a day early, or consider staying an extra day to help minimize the surge of traffic expected to clog passes on Sunday.

6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Snowfall and freezing rain at the summit of Snoqualmie Pass has caused the WSDOT to implement a traction advisory: Traction tires are advised and oversize loads are prohibited. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph between Denny Creek exit 45 and Gold Creek along the Lake Keechelus chain on/off area near mile post 55.

5:00 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Traffic is flowing smoothly as Washington families sit down for Thanksgiving Dinner
Light evening traffic combined with bare and dry road conditions is allowing drivers to get through the rockslide workzone with no delays. Getting over the alternate routes of White, Stevens and Blewit Pass' is also no problem. Temperatures on Blewit Pass are in the mid 20s, it's overcast and the road is bare and dry. White Pass is in the upper 20s and overcast with light rain and bare and wet roads. Stevens Pass is in the mid 20's and clear with bare and dry roads.

Construction crews head home after blasting apart boulders
Crews working on the slope managed to blast apart tons of large boulders and break them into smaller, more easily moved rocks. Now that darkness has fallen up on the pass, crews have gone home to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.

2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Crews busting rock, moving debris to make room for second crane drilling rig
At the rock slide site, crews are using a Boulder Buster to make large boulders more manageable. They drill an inch and a half diameter hole into a large boulder, fill the hole with water and insert a steel tube into the hole. They then insert a charge, similar to a shotgun shell. They cap the steel tube, attach a pull cord and cover the boulder with a heavy rubber mat. They then stand back, pull the cord and the resulting shock breaks the boulder into pieces. It's then easier to move the debris around the work site. Crews are busting boulders and moving debris at the slide site to make room for a second crane drilling rig, slated for use tomorrow.

Light traffic on the passes, watch for gusting wind on I-90
Traffic is free-flowing across Cascade passes. Gusting winds on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass are as strong as 40 miles per hour.

Noon, Thursday, November 24, 2005

Thank you to everyone who helped keep traffic moving
Thank you to everyone who cancelled or rescheduled your travel and those who took White (US 12) and Stevens (US 2) passes instead of Snoqualmie Pass (I-90). Our traffic data shows that we averted significant delays thanks to you.

Traffic on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass drops significantly
During the peak travel time yesterday, noon to 6 p.m., less than half as many drivers traveled across I-90 Snoqualmie Pass as compared to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year. Traffic on I-90 on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving dropped from 44,664 in 2004 to 29,270 in 2005, a 34 percent reduction. Many drivers also helped by traveling across I-90 earlier or later in the day, when 2005 traffic counts increased over 2004. Drivers also appear to be heeding advice to keep their eyes on the road and keep their speed up to 35 miles per hour when driving through the rock slide work zone. When traffic is heavy, 10 percent more eastbound vehicles than expected are driving through the work zone. This also helps prevent traffic delays. At their worst, back-ups on Snoqualmie Pass yesterday stretched five miles and drivers spent 45 minutes in traffic. These delays were short lived.

Travel across the Cascades decreases; traffic on Stevens and White passes triples
Traffic crossing the Cascades on Snoqualmie (I-90), Stevens (US 2) and White (US 12) passes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving dropped from 47,377 in 2004 to 41,488 in 2005, a 12 percent reduction. Traffic on Stevens and White passes more than tripled. Traffic on Stevens Pass jumped from 1,823 in 2004 to 8,130 in 2005. Traffic on White Pass jumped from 850 in 2004 to 4,088 in 2005. Despite the growth, drivers experienced minimal traffic delays on these passes.

Traffic on I-90 appears light today
Veteran WSDOT maintenance and Incident Response Team crews report that traffic on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass seems very light today. Traffic is moving smoothly and roads are bare on all three major cross-Cascades routes. Sleet is predicted for Snoqualmie Pass late this evening and light snow is predicted for Sunday.

9:00 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Traffic moving smoothly across Cascade Mountain passes
No delays yet today for drivers crossing the Cascades, though traffic volumes are expected to grow and peak midday. Snoqualmie, Stevens and White pass temperatures are in the 20's and roads are bare. Watch for patches of ice and frost.

Watch for 45 mph wind gusts on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass
Wind gusts average 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 miles per hour on the I-90 Snoqualmie River Bridge, about sixteen miles miles west of the summit. Please stay alert and keep both hands on the steering wheel.

7:45 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

All lanes of I-90 at Preston reopened
All lanes of I-90 at Preston are now open to traffic. Drive carefully and watch for black ice.

7:30 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Watch for ice and frost when driving across passes, wind gusts on I-90
Drive carefully and watch for patches of ice and frost when driving across the passes this morning. WSDOT maintenance crews are on the road treating icy patches. Watch for heavy wind gusts on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Summit.

Serious accident on eastbound I-90 near Preston
The Washington State Patrol and WSDOT Incident Response Teams are on scene at a serious accident on I-90 at Preston. The two left lanes of eastbound I-90 are blocked.

Rollover accident on eastbound I-90 near Easton
The Washington State Patrol is on scene at a non-injury rollover incident in the median of I-90 near Easton. A tow truck is on the way to the scene. All lanes of I-90 remain open to traffic in both directions.

Rock slide stabilzation work underway; crews making room for second crane
As daylight returns work is underway at the I-90 rock slide work zone. Today, Wilder Construction crews will continue hand-scaling to remove material from the slope. They will also move rocks and dirt that have piled up on the ground from previous hand-scaling and drilling to make room for a second crane drilling rig. They hope to operate two crane drilling rigs tomorrow.

6:15 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

Watch for wind gusts on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass
Drivers should be prepared for strong wind gusts on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass. Allow extra distance between you and other vehicles, keep both hands on the steering wheel and stay alert.

5:00 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2005

No delays, roads bare
No delays and bare roadways greet Thanksgiving morning drivers on the passes. Temperatures on Stevens (US 2), White (US 12) and Snoqualmie (I-90) passes are in the twenties. Watch for patches of frost and ice.

WSDOT thanks late night drivers
We noticed a significant increase in the number of drivers traveling across Snoqualmie Pass overnight. Thank you to drivers who changed your travel schedules to avoid delays and help keep traffic moving.

11:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

No delays at this hour
If you like plenty of room between you and the vehicles in front and behind, you'll like traveling late tonight. The late night and very early morning travelers will have the best chance of travel without delay. At this time the temperature is 28F, the skies are cloudy and the road is bare and dry. The traffic is moving smoothly. Winds are gusting up to 30 mph on the west side of the summit and fog could be encountered on the east slopes of the Cascades.

8:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Traffic moving smoothly over the summit with no delays
This is a pleasant surprise to all of the WSDOT maintenance workers who have worked the days before Thanksgiving for many years. Hyak communications operator, Patty Shull has seen 25 years of holiday traffic and says, "People listened to our concerns and changed their plans and helped prevent the problem". A steady stream of traffic, in both directions, heads across Snoqualmie Pass toward holiday destinations with the only delay being the reduced speed limit of 35 mph through a quarter mile section of the workzone along Lake Keechelus.

Caution
Strong gusts of wind (up to 30 mph) are making travel challenging on the west side of the summit. Thick patches of fog are causing drivers to slow down and keep a close eye on the solid white stripe (fog line) that will lead them through the low lands on the east side of the summit.

5:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 20055

Traffic backups have dropped to two miles on eastbound I-90
After peaking at four and a half to five mile backups, the afternoon rush has subsided. Right now, crews on the scene report that backups have dropped to two miles which adds about 20 minutes to trips over the pass. So far we have seen no westbound backups.

Keeping traffic moving is only possible with the public's help
It's clear that many drivers are traveling at off-peak hours, taking alternate routes or just staying home. It's important for drivers to remember that if they do find themselves traveling over the pass to maintain a consistent speed through the rockslide repair zone. Construction crews say they witnessed one driver slowing down, driving with his knees while talking on his cell phone and taking a photograph of the rockslide. This sort of driving not only creates traffic jams, it's potentially dangerous for road crews and drivers.

3:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Traffic backups are building on eastbound I-90
Traffic has backed up about four miles from the rockslide work zone. The stop and go traffic through the are is now adding about 40 minutes to eastbound drivers' trips over Snoqualmie Pass.

Thanks to those who have helped so far
Even with the building traffic, it's obvious many drivers have either cancelled or rescheduled their traffic plans and keeping backups down.

Temperatures dropping
The temperature is now in the mid to low 20's on Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes. White Pass is still above freezing but in the low 30's. All three passes are bare and dry.

2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Eastbound I-90 traffic backs up two miles
I-90 eastbound traffic is backing up along Lake Keechelus, about two miles from the rock slide repair zone. Expect strong wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour west of Snoqualmie Pass.

12:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Traffic moving steadily on Cascade passes
Traffic is moving steadily on Snoqualmie (I-90), Stevens (US 2), and White (US 12) passes. Watch for wind gusts west of Snoqualmie Pass and expect slight delays at the I-90 rockslide work zone east of Snoqualmie Pass. Drivers slowing down to look at the rock slide are causing delays. We ask drivers to maintain the 35 mile-an-hour speed limit through the work zone.

Crews drilling and removing rock
Crews at the I-90 rock slide are drilling to install rock bolts and scaling to remove rocks and dirt from the slope.

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Cross-Cascades traffic increased yesterday; drivers adjusted travel schedules and used Stevens and White passes
Our counts from yesterday show the number of 2005 travelers who crossed the Cascades on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving was almost identical to 2004. Traffic on I-90, US 2 and US 12 increased from 27,850 in 2004 to 27,856 in 2005. Drivers diverted to Stevens and White passes and are adjusting their travel schedules. Traffic on Stevens Pass (US 2) increased 75 percent from 1,741 to 3,044. Traffic on White Pass (US 12) increased 110 percent from 672 to 1,413.

The good news: drivers are avoiding Snoqualmie Pass and changing their travel schedules. The risk: Stevens and White passes could be overwhelmed today and tomorrow and all three passes could be overwhelmed on Sunday. If you are traveling across the Cascades this weekend, please consider staying at your destination until Monday or Tuesday.

10 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 20055

First hint of traffic back-ups on I-90 at rock slide work zone
Traffic delays have started on I-90 at the Snoqualmie Pass rock slide work zone. Crews on site report back-ups stretching less than a mile both east- and westbound.

9 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 20055

Traffic increasing on I-90
Traffic is still moving smoothly through the I-90 rock slide work zone, but traffic volumes are increasing and appear to be higher than normal for a Wednesday morning.

Watch for fog on Stevens Pass; wind on Snoqualmie Pass
Traffic is moving smoothly across Stevens (US 2), White (US 12) and Snoqualmie (I-90) passes. Watch for fog on Stevens Pass and wind gusts west of Snoqualmie Pass.

8 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Traffic light, wind gusts on I-90
Traffic is light and the Cascade pass highways are mostly bare and dry. Watch for patches of frost and ice. Wind gusts up to 33 miles per hour continue on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Pass.

Rockslide repair work continues
As daylight arrives, crews are on-site and working to stabilize the rock slope. They resumed drilling on the east end of the slope and are hand scaling to remove rock on the west end of the slope. The Rhine crew and their rock hammer have finished their work and will move out of the slide work zone this morning.

4:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Watch for wind gusts on I-90 west of Snoqualmie and light snow at Snoqualmie Pass
Keep both hands on the steering wheel and watch for wind gusts if you're driving across the Cascades on I-90 this morning. Expect wind gusts up to 33 miles per hour. Light snow is falling at Snoqualmie Pass and the road is bare and wet. Temperatures are in the 20's on Snoqualmie, Stevens, Blewett and White passes. Crews took steps overnight to help prevent ice from forming on the roadway, but watch for patches of ice and frost.

8 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Traffic flowing smoothly over I-90
Drivers looking to cross the pass for Thanksgiving should consider traveling between 8 p.m. tonight and 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. The road is bare and dry and traffic is flowing well with no delays at the construction site. Credit partly goes to work crews who turned off the lights in the work zone at 6 p.m. to prevent drivers from slowing down to look at the rocks.

New forecast is in
The new long-range forecast is in and it shows two storms in the coming days. Light snow is expected in the Cascades Friday morning. A second, more significant storm is expected Sunday night when the snow level drops to 2500 feet. We strongly recommend travelers stay on top of the changing forecast and plan their trips accordingly.

4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Traffic building, but delays are minimal
Traffic is building and backups are two miles in both directions, but it is taking no more than five minutes to get through the construction zone. Eastbound drivers are dealing with thick, low-lying fog on both sides of Snoqualmie Pass summit.

Drivers slowing down to look at the rock slide are causing delays. We ask drivers to maintain the 35 mile-an-hour speed limit through the work zone.

Good progress in the work zone today
Workers say they used the rock hammer again this afternoon to take out a large wedge of rock, jutting out over the work area. That large wedge amounted to 100 cubic yards of material. Refrigerator-sized boulders now rest again the rock fence.
Tomorrow Crux Subsurface will continue to install bolts on the east end of the project area while Wilder Construction crews continue hand-scaling work on the west end.

2:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Congestion begins westbound, east of the summit
Our crews report congestion is starting to build westbound I-90 east of the summit. As of 2:30 p.m., the backups were about one mile. Traffic is flowing smoothly over I-90 eastbound Snoqualmie Pass.

Eastbound drivers may encounter extremely gusty winds east of North Bend. Please remember to keep both hands on the wheel, as passenger vehicles are feeling the 40 mph gusts. Traffic on eastbound and westbound US 2 Stevens Pass, and US 12 White Pass is flowing well.

Crews control traffic because big rock is ready to fall
Workers will begin a rolling slow down on I-90 westbound at Stampede Pass and eastbound at the summit sometime before 3 p.m. This means drivers should prepare to stop. Crews say a large rock is ready to fall and crews want to stop traffic in the work zone for safety reasons. They are concerned this large rock may shatter and send smaller rocks into the traffic lanes.

1 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Traffic is flowing smoothly, but watch for wind
Traffic is flowing smoothly over I-90 Snoqualmie Pass. Eastbound drivers will encounter extremely gusty winds east of North Bend. Please remember to keep both hands on the wheel, as passenger vehicles are feeling the 40 mph gusts.

For eastbound truckers, Washington State Patrol troopers are conducting a statewide commercial motor vehicle tire chain enforcement emphasis west of North Bend. So watch for troopers and commercial vehicles on the side of the road. Traffic on eastbound and westbound I-90, US 2 Stevens Pass, and US 12 White Pass is flowing well.

Crews take down large section of rock
Workers are using the rock hammer this afternoon to take out more of the rock that fell unexpectedly yesterday. Simultaneously, they are using a large backhoe to create a ditch so the rock can safely fall to the ground. Without this rock ditch, large rocks could hit rock and bounce over the rock fence that separates the work zone from traffic. Once they remove all the rock associated with that section, they will begin the rock bolting operations again.

Wilder Construction confirms they will work Thanksgiving Day.

9:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2005

One lane in each direction remains open through the rock slide work zone

Successful on the east end, still a challenge on the west end
Geotechs are confident that the rock bolting operation on the east end of the project is successfully stabilizing the rock face. Crux is using a more powerful drill with enough air pressure to blast the debris out the hole as it drills. This technique prevents the material from binding up the drill bit and allows more efficient progress.

The west end, however, is another story. The Rhine crew had expected to dismantle the giant hammer and leave the work site today. Instead, after the unexpected rock fall yesterday, the machine operator and crew were called back to the work site to resume scaling rock from the west end of the project. The November 6 rockslide originated at the west end, and this continues to be the most unstable area. The current plan is to scale out the whole area on the west end and hopefully find more stable material behind it.

3:00 p.m., Monday, November 21, 2005

Massive boulder unexpectedly falls from slope, worked stopped
As Crux Subsurface workers continued drilling, a large boulder, half the size of a Volkswagen Bug, fell from the slope. The drilling crew was anchored to this massive rock; fortunately no injuries occured.

WSDOT and a consultant will be onsite this afternoon to re-evaluate the safety of the slope and the construction work zone. This rock slope has proven to be very unpredictable and incidents such as this shutdown all work until safety and operations are reevaluated.

9:30 a.m., Monday, November 21, 2005

Drilling resumes
Crews arrived on site at 7 a.m. and resumed drilling and bolting work in freezing fog and light wind. Two holes are complete with bolts in place, ready for grouting. Crux is currently working on the third hole. When they are finished drilling the third hole, they will grout in all three bolts and move the drill east to continue the operation.

Reminder for drivers
Please don't slow down or stop in the work zone to snap a photo or try and get a good look at our drilling progress. This makes it difficult for large trucks to regain speed. As with all of our work zones, it's important for drivers to stay focused on the cars and road ahead and maintain a consistent speed. Distracted drivers in a work zone don't only slow traffic, they can cause a collision.

Governor's Advice
Gov. Chris Gregoire endorsed WSP Chief Batiste's message to motorists last Friday, advising travelers to avoid travel over the Cascade passes during the Thanksgiving week. "As much as we all want to be with loved ones, a trip across the mountain pass is not advisable. First and foremost, I want everyone to be safe and comfortable during the Thanksgiving week," she said.

5:30 p.m., Sunday, November 20, 2005

Crux continues drilling
Crux Subsurface started drilling about noon today. After a minor slowdown drilling the first hole, the operation has progressed smoothly and is expected to go faster tomorrow. The plan is to start grout work around noon tomorrow. After bolts are placed in the drilled holes, grout will be applied to the entire length of each anchor for maximum hold. Work is scheduled to shut down tonight at about 5:00 p.m., and will start up again tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.

Mission complete for Giant Hammer
The powerful hydraulic rock hammer has brought down many tons of loose rock, and is currently scheduled to be dismantled and hauled off the work site tomorrow.

A safety message
Remember to maintain a safe speed, for the driving conditions, through the work zone. Please do not slow down to watch the rockslide work. For current photos of the work operations, check the web cameras and photo web page. Currently, skies are overcast, and roadways are bare and dry. The forecast for tonight and tomorrow is for clear skies and a light wind, but always be prepared for changing conditions on mountain passes.

Thanksgiving Week Travel Alert
A Thanksgiving Week Travel Alert is in effect for Monday, November 21 through Tuesday, November 29. Please avoid traveling across the Cascades during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend.

9:30 a.m., Sunday, November 20, 2005

Two full drill crews on site
Crux Subsurface arrived on site this morning. They are preparing to start drilling operations this afternoon. We now have two full drill crews available to bring the bolting progress back up to speed, but they will also have to work in the foggy, freezing conditions that challenged crews yesterday. Once Crux begins drilling, they will have a better estimate of the timeframe needed to secure the bolts.

Traffic light Saturday, Sunday morning; westbound delays expected later today
Traffic was light Saturday and is currently flowing smoothly through the work zone. Later today, westbound back-ups could be similar to or worse than Friday night's eastbound back-ups if drivers don't help by taking alternate routes or getting over the pass before noon.

The skies over White Pass (US 12) are clear and the road is bare, making it an excellent route today. Stevens Pass is experiencing the same fog as Snoqualmie Pass. Snow is not in the forecast on any of the passes, but prepare for patches of ice and freezing temperatures.

4:30 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2005

Progress is slow in foggy, freezing conditions
Heavy fog has been a challenge for crews today. The machines have been freezing up as moisture from the fog turns to ice on the metals. Nevertheless, they were able to get three bolts in today and will continue to forge ahead with bolting and scaling efforts until it's too dark to proceed safely.

New drill crew expected to arrive tomorrow
A team from Crux Subsurface will arrive on site tomorrow to use a different drilling technology that is able to reach the area of solid mass behind the rock face needed to secure the bolts. The crumbling, unstable rock section is deeper than geotechs originally anticipated. The drilling process now allows the bolts to extend 20 feet to secure the rock face. The new drilling technology will allow the bolts to extend 30 to 40 feet into the solid foundation.

Traffic light; drivers should still take alternate routes
Both eastbound and westbound traffic has been light today and able to proceed through the work zone at the set speed limit. We urge motorists to continue taking alternate routes to keep delays minimal. Westbound traffic is expected to be heavy tomorrow.

9:00 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2005

Damp, foggy work site
The morning report from the work site reinforces the pictures you can see on the web cams. Low fog rolled into the job site late last evening, and is still limiting motorists' visibility this morning. Conditions are brighter west of the summit, but foggy conditions are reported along Lake Keechelus and in most of Kittitas County.

Crux Subsurface will be using different technology
The fractured, crumbling nature of the rock has pinched and broken several drill bits and slowed progress. When Crux, a second drilling contractor, arrives on site this weekend, they will be drilling "sleeved" or cased holes into the rocky face. Crux will insert a steel sleeve to protect the hole as they drill into the rock. Once the proper depth is reached and the bolt inserted, the sleeve come out, so the epoxy grout can adhere to the rock sides of the hole.

Hydraulic rock hammer on stand-by
The massive demolition machine, eight stories tall, has scaled large amounts of rock off the rock face. The powerful rock hammer is presently on stand-by until Monday, when WSDOT and the contractors will decide if they are done with the giant.

Friday night traffic backups east and west
Traffic late Friday afternoon and evening came in waves, from both the east and west. Back ups of several miles were reported, with delays of 30 to 45 minutes. Foggy conditions through the detour slowed motorists. When driving in fog, please remember to increase your following distance to give you time to react.

4:30 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2005

Traffic increasing; eastbound travelers backed up a mile at 4:30 p.m.
Right now eastbound traffic is backed up for about a mile approaching the rock slide detour along Lake Keechelus. This weekend travelers should expect delays eastbound Friday evening and westbound Sunday this weekend. WSDOT is asking travelers to avoid traveling over the Cascades next weekend. Cascade travelers next weekend can expect long delays.

Rock shifts - safety concerns halt drilling
WSDOT engineers and geotechs have been watching a large mass of unstable rock on the exposed face. Today, while drilling the first hole for rock bolt installation, the large rock shifted and all rock drilling work was halted. Geotechs are examining the slope and revising safety recommendations before allowing drilling to continue.

Rock hammer brings down tons of material
More rockfall fence was installed today, enabling the giant hydraulic rock hammer to scale off a good amount of material from the slope, while staying a safe distance from the drilling operation.

9:30 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2005

Additional rockfall fence being installed today
The contractor is installing additional rockfall fence in the construction zone today, allowing workers to make progress at multiple locations in the work zone beginning as soon as this afternoon. By the end of the work day Thursday, the contractor had installed two more rock bolts.

Why is the contractor not working at night?
Wilder Construction is not working through the night due to cold weather and poor visibility during nighttime hours. WSDOT and Wilder Construction remain concerned about the potentially dangerous conditions. Picture this: Wilder Construction is so concerned about safety issues that they have posted a lookout onsite with an airhorn whose job is to alert the workers if the unstable rock begins to slide.

New consultant on board
WSDOT has hired Golder and Associates, a geotechnical consulting firm, to add another set of eyes to evaluate the rockfall slope and provide additional design guidance.

Thursday afternoon, November 17, 2005

WSDOT officials encourage Thanksgiving travelers to avoid Cascades
WSDOT officials met with members of the media today to discuss Thanksgiving weekend travel over Interstate 90. The lane restriction in the work zone is expected to make holiday travel over Snoqualmie Pass extremely difficult. In the following travel alert, WSDOT released important information about weekend travel:

Thanksgiving weekend travel alert (2 page pdf 133kb)

WSDOT's goal has been to complete the emergency rock slope stabilization in time to re-open the roadway to four lanes before the Thanksgiving weekend. Unfortunately, challenges at the construction site and wintery conditions have slowed progress. A specialized demolition rock hammer is on site to aid in rock removal.

Construction update:
Wilder Construction continued drilling today with some success and brought down more rock from the slope. Crux Subsurface, Inc. should be on site tomorrow to assist in drilling operations.

Weather cool and crisp on site
Currently it is partly cloudy on site and the snow level is above 10,000 ft. Weekend forecasts call for clear and cold conditions.

7:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2005

Apple Cup weekend travel advice
With only one lane open in each direction through the rockslide area, travel this weekend will still be difficult across Interstate 90. If you must travel across the Cascades, we recommend you reach the pass before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m. to avoid delays. Last weekend many drivers spent an hour and a half in traffic on I-90 near the rockslide area. On Sunday westbound motorists were backed up as far as 10 miles. Prepare for winter travel and know the current conditions before you leave.

Weather and crumbling rocks frustrate rockslide crews
Despite dawn-to-dusk work days, work on I-90 at the rockslide east of Snoqualmie Pass is not proceeding as quickly as anyone would like. Freezing temperatures, snow, rain, and crumbling rocks are frustrating Wilder Construction and WSDOT workers.

“Every time they drill a hole to insert a bolt, the rock just crumbles around it. Getting a firm footing to secure this rock is very, very difficult,” said Don Whitehouse, WSDOT Regional Administrator. “It’s like trying to hang a heavy picture on particle board. You need to find a stud and it’s just not there."

"We're bringing in new people and equipment to try to address these difficult problems. Despite the extraordinary efforts of Wilder Construction and WSDOT work crews, it's now nearly certain that we won't get all lanes of I-90 open in time for Thanksgiving holiday travelers."

Drivers strongly encouraged to avoid traveling across the Cascades during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend
Thanksgiving weekend lures thousands of extra drivers onto highways. We are making significant efforts to keep traffic moving despite the rockslide lane closures on I-90. However traffic will still overwhelm all of the cross-Cascades routes unless a significant number of drivers choose to cancel their Thanksgiving holiday weekend travel.

Preliminary traffic data indicates that unless many drivers cancel or significantly reschedule Thanksgiving weekend travel, they could spend more than 5 hours sitting in stop-and-go traffic on I-90. Delays on Stevens Pass (U.S. 2) and White Pass (U.S. 12) would also be significant. These travel times will worsen if there's an accident or foul weather.

If you can, please help by strongly consider canceling any cross-Cascades travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. If you must travel, be prepared for significant delays. We know this request is a burden for many families during the holidays, but we must keep lanes on I-90 closed to help keep travelers safe and we don't want travelers to spend Thanksgiving stuck in traffic. Crews are working diligently to stabilize the rock slope and get all lanes on I-90 open to traffic as quickly as we can.

2:45 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Hydraulic Demolition Hammer gets an early start - underlying material unstable and dangerous
Around 11 a.m., the giant hydraulic hammer brought down 40 to 50 cubic yards (five dump truck loads) of rock from the slope face. Once the rock was removed, it was apparent that the material underneath was much worse than hoped. The condition of the underlying material is disappointingly unstable. The rock fall protection fence will contain falling material and protect the traveling public.

Additional contractor, different techniques on the way
Crux Subsurface, Inc., a geotechnical drilling service out of Spokane, should be on site by the end of the week and will use a different technology to drill cased holes (steel reinforcing shell) in the less stable rock.

Wilder can continue to drill "regular" bolt holes while Crux drills cased holes, and crews will finish limited manual scaling around bolting locations. WSDOT is bringing in more fence so Rhine can use the hoe ram (hydraulic demo hammer) to bring down more rock in the work zone, about 100 feet to the east. While on standby, the hoe ram is breaking up some of the big chunks of rock into pieces that can be hauled off the job site.

Apple Cup, upcoming weekend travel notification
Travel this weekend will still be difficult across Interstate 90. Last weekend eastbound I-90 travelers experienced delays of up to an hour and a half. And on Sunday westbound motorists were backed up as far as 10 miles. So prepare for winter travel and know the current conditions before you leave. Further information regarding weekend travel will be available tomorrow.

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Disappointing progress on the rock bolting
Wilder Construction resumed rock bolt installation today. Two bolts were installed yesterday; though both bolts failed load tests. WSDOT is looking at different drilling techniques including an option to encase the holes in steel casings. Wilder Construction and WSDOT hope to get back on track as soon as possible.

Thanksgiving holiday travel notification
Thanksgiving holiday travel will be difficult across Interstate 90. Motorists are reminded to prepare for winter travel and know the current driving conditions before you leave. Further information regarding Thanksgiving travel should be available later this week.

4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Hitachi EX 700 has arrived
The 110 ton, specialized excavation machine from R. W. Rhine Demolition, Inc., arrived on the job site early this afternoon. The giant hydraulic hammer was delivered in three huge pieces, on three separate trucks, and has been assembled on the job site. This machine will provide precise, high-volume rock removal from the slope in a safer and more efficient manner than the current manual process using picks and jacks.

Unfortunate delay
One completed rock bolt and two broken drill bits later, progress on the hole drilling for the rock bolts has come to a grinding halt. The rock material being drilled into continues to crumble, breaks drill bits, and leaves a surface that is not suitable for rock bolting. The rock bolting operation must be complete on the upper slope so that the new excavator can continue the scaling process below the stabilized rock. The goal is to install four to five bolts each day, but due to the setbacks, only one was secured in the rock face today. It looks like the new machine won't be attacking the slope tomorrow as planned.

Smooth traffic flow due to lower volumes this afternoon
Traffic continues to move smoothly through the work zone today, due to the lower number of travelers using Snoqualmie Pass. The extended forecast predicts mostly clear conditions through the weekend.

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Construction progressing
Wilder Construction started work again at daylight, and resumed drilling operations on the fifth hole. Working conditions are still difficult, due to cold temperatures on the site. The temperature in the work area is currently 27 degrees. The contractor is preparing the site for the arrival of the massive demolition equipment. Workers are looking forward to the arrival of this mechanical scaler, which will greatly improve the progress and safety of the rock scaling operations.

Traffic light this morning
Traffic is flowing smoothly past the rock slide operations this morning. Weather forecaster predict a chance of rain, with the snow level around 8,000 ft. The extended forecast calls for mostly clear conditions through the weekend.

4:30 p.m. Monday, November 14, 2005

Decent weather on site
Weather conditions on site have been decent today, and the contractor has installed four of the twenty-foot long rock bolts. Because water has been weeping out of some of the drilled holes, the contractor will also drill six drainage holes into the rockface. The snow level for the next few days is forecast to rise to 8,000 to 10,000 ft, providing more friendly working conditions for the crews.

Giant jackhammer travels tomorrow
A very large jackhammer will be traveling Tuesday from the Seattle area on three separate lowboy trailers to be assembled at the job site. Once this huge piece of demolition equipment is in place, work on removing the loose rock should progress more swiftly.

8:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2005

Crews drill more holes, wait on new equipment
Wilder Construction crews returned to the work zone at first light. They’ll continue to drill more holes for the estimated 25 rock bolts needed to secure the rock face. The process involves drilling the holes, inserting the 20-foot long rock bolts, and filling the holes with quick-drying epoxy. Drilling and filling all these holes will take several days.

Today or tomorrow, a giant jackhammer will arrive to help workers pull more loose rock from the rock face. This new piece of equipment is owned by Seattle/Tacoma-based R. W. Rhine and was used to help demolish the Kingdome. It can reach up to eight-stories high. Workers need this equipment to reach the areas at the top of the rock face. Currently the workers are hanging out of man-lifts, but the lousy weather is freezing the ropes and making everything slippery, which is a potential safety hazard.

Traffic flows smoothly again, but what about the Apple Cup weekend?
After significant westbound backups on Sunday, traffic is once again flowing smoothly. We are getting ready for the upcoming Apple Cup weekend. We are taking a hard look at how things went this past weekend and what else we can do to help traffic flow better next weekend when thousands of people will cross the pass for the Apple Cup football weekend.

7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2005

Wilder crews shut down for the night
Wilder Construction shut down for the night around 5:30 p.m. Visibility is poor once darkness falls, and the crews need daylight conditions to work safely around the unstable rock slope. Tonight Wilder also shut down the bright work lights in the construction area, because of the many gawkers and who slowed down to get a good view of the site. Westbound traffic is already backed up between six and nine miles, and we don't need more delays as people slow to take pictures.

Westbound traffic experiencing back ups
At 7:00 p.m., as travelers head back to the west side of the state, traffic approaching the work zone is backed up ten miles. WSDOT appreciates the travelers who postponed their travel or crossed the Cascades on another route. Early information from traffic counts tell us that roughly one-fourth of the normal I-90 Snoqualmie Pass travelers either postponed their trip or traveled a different route.

4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2005

Construction Progress: Crews drilling holes
Wilder Construction crews, suspended in a drilling basket from a tall crane, have drilled two 20 foot-long holes in the hillside rock. They will insert threaded bolts in each hole, and then fill the hole with rapid-curing epoxy grout. When the grout has cured, crews will tighten a large plate and nut to the bolt, compressing the unstable rock to the underlying solid bedrock. Other workers continue to work on the rock scaling operations. Working conditions are cold, wet, and more of the same is expected.

Westbound traffic experiencing back ups
Sunday afternoon and evening Snoqualmie Pass experiences the highest number of westbound travelers. As of 4 p.m. today, westbound traffic is backing up six to eight miles approaching the one-lane detour at the construction zone. Traffic counts from Saturday indicate that more than one quarter of the normal Sunday I-90 travelers either stayed home or took another route across the Cascades. However, we are still encouraging drivers to take alternate routes (US 2, US 12, or I-84) to minimize long backups this afternoon. For current travel advisories visit WSDOT Travel Alerts and Slowdowns.

Alternate Route Conditions
The temperature at StevensPass (US 2) and White Pass (US 12) is currently in the low 30's. The roadway at both passes is bare and wet, and mixed rain and snow is falling. Light snow is forecast for both White Pass and Stevens Pass tonight, with possibly two inches of snow accumulating. There are currently no travel restrictions. For up-to-date pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Passes web page.

12:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2005

Construction Progress: Crews Begin Drilling
Wilder Construction crews began drilling and bolting operations at 11:30 a.m. this morning. Crews will place a 20 foot-long bolt in each hole to help anchor and stabilize the hillside. About 12 workers continue to work on the rock scaling operations. Working conditions are cold, wet, and more of the same is expected.

Traffic flowing smoothly
Thanks to only light dustings of snow and help from drivers who've adjusted their travel plans and chosen alternate routes, traffic is flowing smoothly. However, we are still encouraging drivers to take alternate routes (US 2, US 12, or I-84) to prevent three to four hour backups this afternoon. For current travel advisories visit WSDOT Travel Alerts and Slowdowns.

Alternate Route Conditions
Stevens Pass (US 2) is currently 28 degrees. There is compact snow and ice on the roadway and occasional light snow flurries. White Pass (US 12) is currently 30 degrees. The roadway is bare and wet. Snow is forecast for both White Pass and Stevens Pass today, with possibly of one inch of snow falling. Traction tires are currently advised for both passes. For up-to-date pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Passes web page.

8:00 a.m. Sunday, November 13, 2005

Construction Progress: Crews Begin Assembling Drilling Platform
Wilder Construction crews resumed work this morning at 7 a.m. Crews immediately began working to assemble a drilling platform that will be attached to the large crane visible in the web cam. Once the drilling platform is attached, crews will drill holes into the underlying bedrock, and use 20 foot-long bolts to anchor remaining rock masses. Crews continue to make progress on rock scaling as the weather continues to cooperate.

How Drivers Can Help
Our maintenance crews are working with Washington State Patrol to keep the roadway clear and travel across the pass running smoothly. Backups for westbound travelers will be several hours long starting around noon if half of the normal number of Sunday westbound travelers over the pass don't cancel or postpone their trips, or find an alternate route (US 2, US 12, or I-84). For current travel advisories visit WSDOT Travel Alerts and Slowdowns.

7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2005

Weather sends crews home for the night; Sunday target to start drilling
Wilder Construction called it a day for safety sake around 5:30 p.m. as temperatures dropped and rain fell at the project site. Work will resume Sunday morning when hopefully rock drilling and bolting operations get underway, as well as continued scaling. Progress on rock scaling has been steady and should pick up early next week when a large specialty piece of equipment with a very large telescoping hydraulic ram (similar to a massive jack hammer) moves in to speed up scaling operations.

Westbound delays expected Sunday
Traffic counts from Thursday and Friday show only slight drops in the numbers of east-west travelers crossing Snoqualmie Pass in the past few days. Backups for westbound travelers will be several hours long starting around noon on Sunday if half of the normal number of Sunday westbound travelers over the pass don't cancel or postpone their trips, or find an alternate route (US 2, US 12, or I-84). Traffic backs ups when more travelers are trying to pass through the one lane detour than the single lane can handle. Visit WSDOT Travel Alerts and Slowdowns for current advisories.

WSDOT anticipates “metering” traffic again on Sunday
WSDOT traffic managers believe that the best way to get traffic running safely through the construction zone is to get cars single file and spaced apart before they reach the detour. When westbound traffic begins to backup on Sunday, WSDOT plans to force westbound drivers to get off I-90 at Exit 70 (Sparks Rd at Easton) and then right back on using the on-ramp. The goal is move the back-ups away from the construction zone and the snow zone, so a single line of spaced out cars can go through the 35 mile per hour zone at the rockslide. The slight detour makes it possible for drivers to maintain a consistent speed and reduces the chance of an accident in the work zone.

Alternate Route Conditions
Snow and rain is forecast for both White Pass (US 12) and Stevens Pass (US 2) this evening, with possibly five to nine inches of snow falling. Temperatures are near 30 degrees on both passes, and traction tires are currently advised. For up-to-date pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Pass Web page.

4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2005

Construction progress
Roughly a dozen contractor's employees continue to work on the rock scaling operations. Working conditions are cold, wet, and more of the same is expected. To ensure safety, the crews will secure the site when evening falls and head for home. The large orange crane visible in the web cam will be used for the drilling and bolting operations which hopefully will get underway tomorrow. Scaling will continue as the rock bolting efforts start on Sunday. The twenty foot long bolts will anchor the potentially unstable large masses of rock to the underlying bedrock.

How Drivers Can Help
Our maintenance crews are working with Washington State Patrol to keep the roadway clear and travel across the pass running smoothly. We still need help from drivers though. If half of the normal amount of weekend drivers over the pass don't cancel their trips or find an alternate route (US 2, US 12, or I-84), backups could be several hours long for westbound travelers on Sunday. For current travel advisories visit WSDOT Travel Alerts and Slowdowns .

Alternate Route Conditions
Stevens Pass (US 2) is currently 33 degrees. The roadway is bare and wet, with slush in places. Weather forecasts call for five to nine inches of snow Saturday night. White Pass (US 12) is currently 32 degrees. The roadway is bare and wet with occasional light snow flurries. Five to nine inches of snow are expected tonight. For up-to-date pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Pass Web page.

12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2005

Scaling work progresses
Crews are making progress on rock scaling as the weather continues to cooperate. They are optimistic that they will finish removing the loose rock in the first area today, allowing crews to start the bolting and securing phase of rockslide repair tomorrow. Scaling will continue on other areas on the slope.

A large crane just arrived on site. The crane will support a platform for a large drill and drill crew. Once the loose rocks have been scaled away, crews will drill holes into the underlying bedrock and bolt the remaining rock masses to anchor them in place.

Alternate route conditions
Traffic on Stevens Pass (US 12) is free flowing. The current temperature is 30 degrees and the roadway is bare and wet with snow and slush in places. White Pass is also free flowing. The temperature is 31 degrees and the roadway is bare and wet. For more pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Pass Web page.

8:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2005

Crews return and resume scaling work
Wilder Construction crews returned to the site this morning at 7 a.m. to continue scaling work that was suspended last night due to weather-related hazards. They are pushing to remove the loose rock in the first area today and begin the second phase of rockslide repair, bolting and securing the large rock masses, tomorrow. Mother Nature must cooperate for this to happen.

Traffic and snow flurries are light
Traffic is light now and able to proceed through the work zone at the posted 35 mph speed limit. Snow flurries have also been light but the forecast calls for more snow this evening. We expect traffic volumes to build and delays will be likely between noon and 7 p.m. If drivers can get to the pass by 10 a.m. or go after 9 p.m., they can avoid the worst of the congestion.

How Drivers Can Help
Our maintenance crews are working with Washington State Patrol to keep the roadway clear and travel across the pass running smoothly. We still need help from drivers though. If half of the normal amount of weekend drivers over the pass don't cancel their trips or find an alternate route (US 2 , US 12, or I-84), backups could be three or four hours long today and tomorrow. Thanks to all the drivers who helped keep delays between 40 minutes and 1 hour yesterday.

Alternate Route Conditions
Stevens Pass (US 2) is currently 28 degrees. There is compact snow and ice on the roadway and occasional light snow flurries. White Pass (US 12) is currently 27 degrees. The roadway is bare and wet with occasional light snow flurries. For more pass conditions and pass cameras, please visit our Mountain Pass Web page.

8:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2005

Crews from Wilder Construction have gone home for the night
The freezing temperatures have made it unsafe to work on the slope so Wilder Construction crews headed home tonight and will be back in the morning.

The backups from the earlier accident are taking a while to clear but once they do we expect delays to be minimal for the night... unless we have to clear more wrecks. The conditions could go from slow to stopped if any accidents occur so drivers should give themselves plenty of time.

This weekend we handed out a flyer for drivers headed over the pass to explain what they're about to drive through.

As for our alternate routes
US 2 (Stevens Pass) is 29 degrees with compact snow and slush on the roadway. Traction tires are required. On US 12 (White Pass) it's 31 degrees with snow and slush on the roadway. There are no tire restrictions.

7:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2005

Both directions of I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass are closed right now
WSDOT crews have both east and westbound traffic stopped just outside of the rockslide area while crews clear a couple of accidents. They expect to get traffic moving again in 15 to 20 minutes.

It's now snowing pretty heavily on the pass but the road remains clear.

4:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2005

Eastbound traffic is forced to exit, then get back on I-90 at Denny Creek
Right now eastbound drivers are experiencing four to five mile backups leading to the rockslide work zone on Interstate 90's Snoqualmie Pass. WSDOT traffic managers decided that the best way to get traffic running safely through the construction zone would be to get cars single file and spaced apart. Maintenance crews are forcing eastbound drivers to get off I-90 at Exit 47 (Denny Creek) and then right back on at the on-ramp. The goal is get the back-ups away from the construction zone so a a single, spaced out, line of cars can go through the 35 mile per hour zone at the rockslide. The slight detour makes it possible for drivers to maintain a consistent speed and reduces the chance of an accident in the work zone.

Drivers can help keep these backups down by canceling their trips, taking alternate routes or waiting until after 9:00 tonight or before 10:00 tomorrow morning.

It's still snowing on the pass and about 34 degrees
Crews have been busy all day keeping the road clear by using de-icer. Maintenance work plus the high number of cars driving over the pass has kept the pavement dry. Our alternate routes of US 2 (Stevens Pass) and US 12 (White Pass) also have snow coming down. Stevens Pass is 31 degrees with some slush. Traction tires are advised over US 2. White Pass is 31 degrees, mostly bare with some slush and no tire advisories.

Work on the slope is going slowly but surely
Crews are anxious to get some heavier equipment out there to help bring down loose rock and put bolts in to stabilize the rock that's left.

12:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2005

Travelers are experiencing delays on I-90
Holiday travelers, opening week for skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, poor weather conditions, construction lane closures, and traffic slowing down to look at the construction work are all factors contributing to the delays. Currently the eastbound lanes are experiencing considerable delays and the westbound lanes are seeing intermittent delays.

WSDOT has implemented traffic metering on eastbound I-90 in the vicinity of Tinkham Road - milepost 45
Traffic control is in place to help reduce some of the risks associated with traffic congestion, on snow covered roads, within a work zone. The plan is to improve safety for drivers and construction workers by moving the backed up traffic to the west side of the summit, out of the work zone and snow zone. National Weather Service Snow Advisory - Snow covered roads and low visibility
Advisory for I-90, Snoqualmie Pass and US 12, White Pass, is from 1:00 p.m. today through early Saturday with anticipated snowfall accumulations of 2-5 inches this afternoon and an additional 4-8 inches this evening.

Advisory for US 2, Stevens Pass is for this afternoon through this evening, with a prediction of 6-10 inches of total snowfall.

Work on rock slope continues
Geologists have determined that rock bolting, similar to the work done on the rockslide west of Snoqualmie Summit in September, will be necessary to stabilize the slope. Blasting, as an effective rock removal method, has been ruled out for now due to the lack of precision involved. Crews will continue rock removal work through tonight, then by Sunday, the plan is to switch the work schedule from one day and one night shift, to two day shifts, to increase productivity and worker safety. One crew will continue scaling efforts (removing loose rocks) while the other crew starts rock bolting operations.

8:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2005

Specialized "High Reach Excavator" is on its way to the site
Rock removal crews have been working 20 hours a day, for a week, using picks and jacks. This hand-scaling method is being used due to the delicate nature of the work. Precision is required to remove the loose rock while not removing too much of the stable rock in order to maintain slope stability. Crews only removed a couple of cubic yards of rock overnight.

Cold and wet weather conditions, darkness, and a precarious work area (approximately four stories above the highway) make progress slow.

Wilder Construction is bringing in specialized equipment to continue removing rock from the unstable slope. It is expected to be on site by early next week. This specialized excavator has a hydraulic hammer that is capable of high-volume, precise rock removal. The excavator has the ability to reach eight stories high, making faster progress and providing a safer environment for workers.

Minor patch work performed last night
Last night, crews patched a 2 ft. wide strip of pavement, along the detour route, where the concrete barrier between the eastbound and westbound lanes originally sat. This strip of pavement was not originally intended to accommodate traffic and was showing some signs of deterioration.

It is currently snowing on Snoqualmie Pass. Traffic is flowing smoothly through the work zone.

WSDOT continues to recommend that travelers delay their trip or use US 12, US 2, or I-84 (Columbia Gorge) as alternate routes.

8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005

Holiday traffic gets through with some delays
The bulk of tonight's holiday traffic hit Snoqualmie Pass from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The increased traffic combined with a few people slowing down to take pictures caused some even slower going through the 35 mile-per-hour rockslide work zone. Right now traffic is free flowing and expected to taper off overnight. our crews say storm has tapered off a little too going from heavy rain to scattered showers.

Traffic managers want to thank everyone who rescheduled their travel plans or took alternate routes for helping to keep the pass operating as smoothly as possible for the conditions. We'll still need help from travelers, especially if it begins to snow. If half of the normal amount of weekend drivers over the pass don't cancel their trips or find an alternate route, backups could get up to three or four hours long. If you still need to get over Snoqualmie Pass we suggest you get there before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

As for construction crews up on the slope, work is going slowly but steadily. Crews will be there overnight but won't know how much progress they've made until geologists can take a look in the light of day.

4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005

Gawking slows traffic
It's raining pretty hard right now on Snoqualmie Pass but it's not slowing traffic too much through the rockslide work zone.

Road crews watching traffic through the two open lanes say they've noticed an pattern: traffic runs smoothly through the 35 mile per hour zone until a driver slows down to look at the work up the slope. That causes traffic to back-up and makes it difficult for trucks to regain speed. Road crews noticed that it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for traffic to get moving at full speed again. As with all of our work zones, it's important for drivers to stay focused on the cars and road ahead and maintain a consistent speed. Distracted drivers in a work zone don't only slow traffic, they can cause a collision.

Meanwhile, construction crews continue to scale the rock slope to find cracks and loose rocks that can be removed to increase safety on the road below.

12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005

Get ready for winter travel
The current forecast is for rain this afternoon. The rain is expected to turn to snow this evening, with an accumulation of approximately 4 inches tonight. Black ice is still a threat, with the roadway from Hyak to Elk Heights as the area of most concern.

Work on the rockslide is progressing. Each time workers bring down rock they are finding more loose rock behind it. Traffic is steadily picking up. Because tomorrow is a holiday we anticipate traffic back-ups during peak travel hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Prepare for winter travel:

Fill your gas tank.
Know the current driving conditions before you leave.
Pack a survival kit – cell phone, food, blankets, flares, and a flashlight.
Have quality traction tires with chains as needed.
Get your car serviced before you take a trip.
Clear your windows of snow and ice and fill windshield wiper fluid before your trip.

Drive for winter conditions:

Remember, four-wheel drive vehicles don't stop any faster than two-wheel drive cars.
Cruise control can cause you to loose control on ice.
Posted speed limits are for dry pavement; slow down when it's wet or icy.
Trucks take longer to stop than cars; give them extra stopping room.
Bridge decks ice up before the roads do. Drive according to conditions.
Stay back at least 200 feet from maintenance vehicles. Don't pass on the right.

9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005

WSDOT gears up for busy weekend traffic; asks drivers to postpone trips across the Cascades
As travelers prepare for the holiday weekend, WSDOT is gearing up to accommodate those using alternate routes by deploying extra trucks as needed to keep US 2 and US 12 clear and accident free.

Snow is expected on I-90 tonight at the 2000 ft. level, but accumulation is not expected to be heavy. Maintenance forces continue to apply chemical de-icers to control snow and ice.

Construction crews continue to scale and bring down rock from the slope, progress is slow with less than 10 cubic yards of rock removed overnight.

We know drivers are anxious for us to finish this work as soon as possible, so are we. We realize that next weekend is the Apple Cup and the week after that is Thanksgiving. Our crews are working 20 hours a day to get this done as quickly and as safely as possible.

The bottom line is, postpone your trip, or if you have to go, please use an alternate route.

7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Traveling over the pass this weekend? Delay your trip or get to the summit before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
Today, traffic backups on I-90 through Snoqualmie pass were minimal and we expect few problems overnight. Construction contractors and geologists are still up on the slope where they brought down 20 dump truck loads of rock today. They will continue to work overnight to figure out what rock still needs to come down tomorrow.

Traffic managers are trying to find ways to make sure increased travel for the holiday weekend doesn't cause severe backups on I-90 or on the alternate routes of US 2, Stevens Pass, and SR 12, White Pass. An expected snowstorm could make travel over the pass even more difficult on Friday. Maintenance crews will do everything they can to keep the road open if it snows. Drivers can help by canceling or rescheduling their trips. If travel is necessary this weekend we recommend traveling over the pass by 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m. when traffic is lightest.

3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Contractor brings down boulders that threaten I-90 Snoqualmie Pass
At around noon today, Wilder Construction removed two large boulders, one weighing approximately 20,000 and the other approximately 4,000 pounds, from the rock face above the slide. Geologists determined that these boulders had the greatest risk of falling. A safety fence kept the boulders and other falling debris within the closed off westbound lanes.

The remaining rock will need to be inspected to determine if more needs to be removed before the contractor starts stabilizing the rock face. Travelers can expect slowdowns and/or temporary traffic interruptions if more rock needs to be removed.

One eastbound and one westbound lane remain open. The Speed Limit within the work zone is 35 mph, and traffic is moving smoothly. Oversized loads are not allowed, and backups are to be expected during periods of heavy traffic.

For the latest information on pass conditions, please remember to:

Consider alternate routes or rescheduling travel through the pass
Pay attention to all information signs
Consult the 5-1-1 travel information line
Listen to traffic information radio (530AM or 1610AM)
Look at the WSDOT websites

8:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Expect intermittent traffic delays while crews repair slide
The roads are bare and wet this morning across Snoqualmie Pass and traffic continues to move smoothly through the work zone. Tuesday is historically the lightest traffic day of the week, so we expect traffic numbers to increase a bit through the day.

Drivers should be aware that we will stop traffic at least three times today to remove three massive boulders from the rock face. We will look for gaps in traffic to safely conduct the stop and bring them down. The rocks will fall into a sand blanket, which slows them before they hit the protective rock fence. Crews will release traffic when the rocks are retained.

Yesterday we only had to stop traffic once, and congestion cleared pretty quickly. We are still asking drivers to alter their travel plans and routes if possible to help us keep delays minimal. There is still a mountain of work ahead and crews are working around the clock to complete the repairs and reopen more lanes.

8:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Construction teams prying down trees and boulders; working 20 hours per day
Traffic on Snoqualmie Pass is still getting through the rock stabilization work zone smoothly.

Right now construction teams of four workers continue to scale the rock slope and pry down boulders and trees. The teams are working two ten-hour shifts and will be out through the night. Geologists will be on hand off and on tomorrow to see what rocks still need to be brought down.

Meanwhile engineers are trying to find ways to make sure increased weekend traffic can get over the pass with minimal delays… especially if it snows. So far there have been no significant traffic back-ups despite the narrow lanes divided by construction barrels and the 35-mile speed limit.

In the warmer and drier WSDOT offices, the communications team is working with the media and updating our Web pages, including this one, to make sure travelers know what the conditions are like over the pass before they hit the road. Drivers already on the road can find information on highway advisory radio (530 or 1610 AM), electronic highway message signs and by calling our 5-1-1 telephone information line.

5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Traffic continues to move smoothly through the work zone
Early this afternoon crews used a rolling slowdown to hold traffic while sawyers cut down and dropped three large trees poised above the rock slope. Parts of one eighty foot tree bounced off the roadway and over the rock fall protection fence into the detour lanes. Debris was quickly picked up and traffic resumed.

Wilder construction will be providing an on-site warming tent for the crews that are working long shifts through the cold days and nights.

WSDOT chief engineering geologist Tom Badger inspected the upper slope of the rock face today, and the contractor expects to begin scaling loose rocks off the slope tomorrow.

Weather conditions have remained cool with temperatures in the mid 30's during the day. The roadway currently is bare and dry at the work site and wet in places near the summit. Conditions are predicted to be similar for the next several days.

1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Wilder Construction crews prepare to start repairs
A quick check with crews in the area show traffic continues to flow smoothly through the slide zone at Snoqualmie Pass. WSDOT thanks the drivers who have chosen alternate routes during this tough time.

Wilder construction crews are getting ready to start the repair phase of this project this afternoon. In the coming hours, they will pry loose material off the rock face at milepost 58.3. To prevent the rocks from rolling into the eastbound lanes, we have several safety measures in place. Workers have installed the rock fence, which you can see in the live web cams on the left-hand side of your screen. Workers have also put down a deep sand berm which absorbs the energy of falling rocks.

When workers see that a rock is ready to fall, they'll communicate to crews on either end of the work zone. At that time, those workers will slow traffic just enough to allow the rock to fall safely to the ground. Once it hits, traffic will start up again. The breaks in traffic should last no longer than a minute or two.

Wilder crews plan to work 20 hours a day to get this work done as quickly as possible so drivers should plan on these occasional traffic slowdowns day and night.

7:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Traffic continues to flow smoothly through I-90 Snoqualmie Pass at this hour WSDOT and Wilder Construction crews are keeping a close eye on traffic because the two lanes adjacent to the rockslide could start to bottleneck at anytime. That bottleneck would lead to significant delays.

Traffic has been moving surprisingly well since WSDOT crews opened the two lanes last night (Monday, November 7) at 10 p.m.

“We want to remind drivers the highway is no where near capable of handling full capacity, an estimated 28,000 vehicles each day,” said Casey McGill, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator. “We expect delays as soon as 10 a.m. as more people get word the pass is open and traffic picks up.”

McGill also wants to remind drivers that long haul trucks are permitted on the I-90 pass, but oversized vehicles are not.

"The lanes are not wide enough to handle the oversized loads," he said.

McGill noticed drivers were genuinely excited that the pass was open, even though it's only one lane in each direction.

We continue to keep an eye on the alternate routes, Stevens Pass (US 2) and White Pass (US 12). Highway 2 has significant delays and drivers should tack on an extra hour or two as they make plans to cross the Cascades there.

No date has been set for completing the work required to re-open all lanes to traffic.

4:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Traffic on I-90 flows smoothly overnight through Cascades; challenges remain
Traffic flowed smoothly overnight through the I-90 rock slide work zone east of Snoqualmie Pass; however, challenges remain as crews work to keep traffic moving safely, stay ahead of winter weather, and address the several hundred cubic yards of rock that remain above the freeway.

At 10 p.m. Monday WSDOT opened one lane in each direction through the rock slide work zone east of Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90. Earlier that night Wilder Construction crews completed installation of a rock-catching fence and determined that the resulting work zone bypass was safe for traffic.

“The days ahead will not be easy for anyone,” Whitehouse said. “Potential challenges remain. Heavy snow or a collision in the bypass area could force us to close I-90 again. Heavy traffic could cause significant delays, particularly on weekends, when traffic volumes essentially double. We encourage drivers to help by considering alternate routes like Stevens Pass (U.S. 2) and White Pass (U.S. 12).”

No date has been set for completing the work required to re-open all lanes to traffic.

11:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

I-90 rock slide bypass open; traffic flowing across Cascades
Traffic is moving across the Cascades on I-90 again, only 42 hours after a major rock slide forced us to close the freeway. The traffic bypass provides one eastbound and one westbound lane and traffic speeds may not exceed 35 miles per hour. Barrels separate opposing traffic. Washington State Patrol troopers and maintenance crews remain on duty overnight to help keep traffic moving through the rock slide area.

8 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

WSDOT to reopen two lanes on I-90 between Summit and Easton at 10 p.m.
WSDOT will open a two-lane work zone bypass at the rock slide site east of Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 at 10:00 p.m. tonight. Late this evening Wilder Construction crews completed the installation of a heavy metal mesh rock security fence. The fence will protect passing traffic as Wilder crews remove additional rock from the cliff near the highway in coming days. No date has been set for completing the work required for re-opening all lanes to traffic.

Traffic bypass: drive with care, expect delays
The traffic bypass will provide one eastbound and one westbound lane. Barrels will separate the two lanes of opposing traffic. Both lanes will be established on what is normally the eastbound pavement. The bypass will be approximately 3/10ths of a mile in length. Speed may not exceed 35 mph. Drivers in each direction will have to merge into a single lane before entering the bypass zone. This section of I-90 is heavily used by large trucks as well as recreational trailers and vans and regular automobiles. Backups may be expected when traffic is heavy. Oversized loads will not be allowed. Traffic may be interrupted at times for future work at the adjacent site.

WSDOT South Central Region Administrator Don Whitehouse thanked Wilder Construction and its crew and WSDOT's own maintenance personnel for their swift work in setting up the bypass. He also thanked travelers and truckers for their patience over the last two days.

“The days ahead will not be easy for anyone,” Whitehouse said. “We will still need patience. We will have extra maintenance workers on site if problems need attention. Washington State Patrol troopers will assist with traffic safety and safe driving enforcement. Winter season snow and ice removal and control may require temporary closures. Traffic may have to stop briefly for some of the contractor's operations. However, with everyone's cooperation and assistance, this plan will allow traffic again to begin moving across the pass.”

Know before you go
Drivers should check ahead on mountain pass weather and traffic conditions and consider alternate routes over either Stevens Pass or White Pass or through the Columbia River Gorge. They also should make sure that both they and their vehicles are prepared for winter driving conditions and possible delays. Information on pass conditions can be obtained from local radio and television broadcasts and other sources such as WSDOT's highway advisory radio (530 or 1610 AM), electronic highway message signs, and 5-1-1 telephone information service.

5:30 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

Crews still working to install rock fence
Crews are still working to finish installing the rock-catching fence as darkness falls. If they complete the fence tonight, they must complete a safety assessment and set up traffic control before we can safely open lanes to traffic. We have not yet determined whether or not we can get the lanes open to traffic tonight.

On Stevens Pass and White Pass, alternate routes across the Cascades, traffic is moving steadily and it's snowing. Maintenance crews are working overtime to help keep traffic moving on these alternate routes.

Construction crews near Maltby report they are seeing far more trucks than usual on State Route 522, which confirms that many truck drivers are using U.S. 2 (Stevens Pass) to cross the Cascades while I-90 is closed.

3:30 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

Highway still closed; opening date still unknown
Television news reported earlier today that an opening was possible tonight and could likely happen tomorrow on an eastbound and westbound basis. We know many people are waiting for definite news about what will be opening and when.

We are concerned about uncorking expectations when significant contingencies are still presented. Here is the precise current situation: The rock fence must be completed by the contractor before an evaluation can be made of the rock removal program. Additional fence material is being brought to the site to complete the rock fence. Then the rock and safety situation will be evaluated by the contractor and WSDOT. The earliest evaluation opportunity with adequate light will be presented on Tuesday morning. Several hundred cubic yards of rock – many dump truck loads – are poised to fall upon the road in the slide area and the removal operation must be done without compromising traffic safety.

Planning for the traffic configuration is now being conducted at Hyak by WSDOT traffic engineers. The eastbound shoulder and one of the eastbound lanes will be used. The configuration will be narrow and lane separation will probably be achieved with barrels. Snow and ice removal and control will be challenging when traffic operations begin. One of the adjoining camera images shows how jersey barriers are already being relocated to shift westbound traffic to a single lane on the eastbound side of the corridor.

When traffic reopens, patience will be required and delays and back-ups can be expected. Use of alternative routes will be encouraged to help keep down traffic volumes – a necessity with the limited capacity of two tight opposing lanes.

In addition to the rock slide work itself and the traffic reconfiguration, WSDOT is also working on plans to make sure the public understands what to expect on the pass. More information will be posted later in the day.

2:45 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

WSDOT works to reopen I-90 between Snoqualmie Summit and Easton
Wilder Construction crews and WSDOT engineers continue to work toward opening I-90 to traffic. When it reopens, there will be one lane in each direction. Currently, I-90 remains closed in both directions between Snoqualmie Summit and Easton. It will remain closed until Wilder Construction completes the installation of the rock-catching fence and evaluates the safety of the area. There is no timetable for reopening.

The road closed at 4 a.m. Sunday, November 6, when a rockslide covered the westbound lanes. The eastbound lanes remain closed because of the unstable rocks above the roadway.

As of 2 p.m. Wilder crews are piecing together the durable rock-catching fence that will catch any rocks and debris that may fall onto the roadway. Several hundred cubic yards of material on the rock face next to the highway are showing signs of stress and are threatening to fall. This includes several large rocks that are approximately 10,000 pounds each, or the weight of a large hippopotamus.

Once the fence is secure, the evaluation of the rock face can be completed. Wilder Construction and WSDOT will determine when the area is safe enough to allow vehicles to pass through the area. The earliest evaluation opportunity will be late today or tonight. If this evaluation cannot be completed today, it will resume at first light Tuesday. The evaluation must be completed and the area deemed safe before we can open the road.

Simultaneously, WSDOT engineers at Hyak are working on a plan to use the two existing eastbound lanes to carry one lane of westbound traffic and one lane of eastbound traffic. This is challenging because the area is narrow and engineers have to be very careful about putting opposing lanes of traffic in one set of lanes. Engineers are concerned about speed through the work area and WSDOT maintenance crews are concerned about the ability to remove snow and keep the road safe.

When the lanes do open, drivers should still expect minor delays during the week and significant delays on the weekend. If half the drivers use alternate routes on the weekend, then I-90 should see minimal delays. If not, delays could be significant.

11:45 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

I-90 still closed; crews working to open two lanes to traffic
Several hundred cubic yards of material on the rock face next to the highway are showing signs of stress and threatening to fall. This includes several large rocks that are approximately 10,000 pounds each, or the weight of a large hippopotamus. Crews are currently installing a rock catching fence, which will help protect drivers if more rock and debris falls from the slope. In addition, experts from WSDOT and contractor Wilder Construction are evaluating the slope above the highway. Once both tasks are complete, perhaps as early as tonight, we plan to open two lanes of I-90 to traffic, one eastbound and one westbound. Crews need daylight to complete the slope evaluation. If they can't complete the evaluation or rock fence installation today the highway will remain closed overnight.

Once the lanes are open to traffic the speed limit will be significantly reduced so drivers can safely navigate the detour route. Intermittent closures may be required to clear snow. Interstate 90 remains closed to all westbound traffic at Easton (milepost 70) and eastbound traffic at Snoqualmie Summit. Exit 53 is the last exit drivers can take when traveling eastbound. WSDOT encourages drivers to reschedule their trip or expect delays when using alternate routes, including US 2 (Stevens Pass), SR 12 (White Pass) or I-84 (Columbia Gorge). WSDOT maintenance crews are making extra efforts on Stevens Pass and White Pass to help keep traffic moving. Thus far today, traffic is moving steadily on these alternate routes. Currently, traction tires are required across Stevens Pass. There are no restrictions for White Pass.

Drivers are encouraged to check for updates at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic, the 511 traveler information hotline, highway advisory radio, and electronic message signs on the highway.

6:00 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2005

Crews begin work required to reopen lanes
We are installing a rock catching fence today and expect to have it installed tonight. Once it's installed, we hope to safely open one eastbound lane to traffic. This lane could be open as early as tonight and will be dedicated to eastbound traffic only.

Our contractor, Wilder Construction, and WSDOT crews are on site evaluating the rocks above the highway which are still threatening to fall. Forty to 50 cubic yards of rock and debris fell from the rock face yesterday. Several hundred cubic yards of material above the highway are showing signs of stress. WSDOT and Wilder Construction crews are working to develop a plan to address this situation.

Meanwhile, traffic engineers are working on a plan to get two lanes safely open to traffic. To do so we must pull out sections of highway divider and restripe. We can not yet speculate when that will occur. It's currently snowing at the rock slide site.

8:45 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

Managing traffic
During the day, a WSDOT comment may have suggested that we foresee a long westbound closure given the difficulty of the narrow rights of way, the existing jersey barrier, and so on. We appreciate that a long westbound closure presents very difficult problems, not only for regular travelers, but especially for shippers.

The exact timing and configuration of traffic reopening cannot be determined until the evaluation of the slide area and the corrective work can be performed by WSDOT and Wilder Construction, the emergency contractor approved for the job. Safety for both travelers and the workers on the site is the paramount consideration.

Our goal for traffic is first to get one eastbound lane open and then as soon as possible to open a second lane westbound. This Web page will post our plans as quickly as they can be made. Traffic management will undoubtedly be difficult. Our experience at the earlier slide west of the pass showed that good planning and teamwork among the contractor, WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol will give us a workable interim solution.

We also benefited on the earlier slide repair from the public's cooperation in making the work zone function safely and well. Professional truckers make up a large volume of drivers and they play a crucial role. Many travelers were able to help by using alternate routes across the mountains or rescheduling trips, a big assist in keeping traffic volumes down.

Watch this web page for more information as it becomes available. Traffic information services on radio and television will also be kept abreast of the latest news.

Wilder Construction working under the bright lights to deliver rockslide repairs
WSDOT has issued an emergency contract to Wilder Construction Company. Its crews have mobilized during the day and in mid-afternoon collected the special safety rock fence used in slide repair on the west side of Snoqualmie Pass in September. The fence was in storage at a maintenance site near Wenatchee. Late this afternoon the fence arrived at the slide site.

Lights have been assembled to allow work to begin, but tonight's progress is uncertain and work on the fence may have to continue tomorrow. During this time the contractor will also make its own evaluation of how the rock left above the highway can safely be removed.

The cost and duration of the emergency contract are not yet known. Details will be posted on this page as they become available. The contractor will also be working with WSDOT on expediting roadway reopening as quickly as possible, probably first as an eastbound lane with westbound movement to follow. This page will post details as soon as they are available.

Here's what WSDOT is doing to minimize backups
From Spokane to Yakima to the Seattle/Tacoma area, we are using overhead message signs, highway advisory radios (HAR) and 511 to get information out to drivers about the closure on I-90.

We've staffed up our maintenance crews on US 2 (Stevens Pass), US 12 (White Pass) and at a number of other locations along those routes. We are making every effort to keep those routes bare and wet in order to allow traffic to move as smoothly as possible.

At this time we are asking travelers to favor US 12 (White Pass) if at all possible, as both US 97 and US 2 in the vicinity of Leavenworth have been experiencing significant delays due to the increased traffic volumes. This message posted by Chris Christopher, State Maintenance Engineer.

6 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

I-90 closure means drivers should expect long delays on US 97 and US 2
US 2 (Stevens Pass) and US 97 are bearing the brunt of the rockslide closure on Interstate 90. Drivers should consider taking US 12 as an alternate route. Drivers will face delays on US 12, but the backups aren't nearly as bad as those drivers are experiencing on US 97 and US 2.

The worst spot is northbound US 97 approaching Peshastin and westbound US 2 going into Leavenworth, according to WSDOT State Maintenance Engineer Chris Christopher. Traffic on northbound US 97 backed up 10 miles Sunday afternoon, and drivers got stuck in four mile backups approaching Leavenworth. Drivers also are facing long delays west of Stevens Pass as they approach traffic signals. Christopher said drivers should expect delays well into Sunday evening.

2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

Eastbound closure moved to Snoqualmie Summit
WSDOT crews have moved the eastbound I-90 closure location to Exit 53 at Snoqualmie Summit, to allow access to the summit area. The pass will remain closed to through traffic in both directions until at least Monday morning.

At 6 a.m. Sunday, WSDOT hired contractor Wilder Construction to make emergency repairs. Wilder is working with WSDOT to assess the slide area, and determine what repairs are required and the timeline to perform those repairs.

1:15 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

WSDOT and emergency contractor evaluating repair work and closure duration
Interstate 90 will remain closed in both directions at least through Monday morning due to the rockslide at milepost 58, six miles east of Snoqualmie Summit.

WSDOT crews still have both directions of I-90 closed between North Bend (milepost 34) and Easton (milepost 70) after the large rockslide at 3:15 a.m. this morning. WSDOT crews are on the scene and Wilder Construction crews are on their way. Wilder crews will work with WSDOT engineers and geotechs to determine how to clear debris from the roadway and how to address material still threatening the road from above. After they determine how to approach the repairs, they can develop a timeline and begin repair work.

“We know closing I-90 creates hardships for drivers, but we will keep the highway closed overnight because material above the roadway could come down at any moment.” said Doug MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation. “Meanwhile, WSDOT and Wilder crews will develop a plan to address this rockslide. We expect them to provide us more information tomorrow about what it will take to complete the repairs and when the highway might be reopened to traffic.”

WSDOT crews closed westbound I-90 at Easton just after 4 a.m. Rocks, some the size of refrigerators, fell onto the roadway. At first light, WSDOT geotechnical experts were able to get to the area and make an assessment. They say there is much more material above the roadway, it could come down at anytime and threatens all four lanes of the highway. This slide is located in a very narrow passage through the Cascades.

Crews are expected to deliver a rock fall fence from Wenatchee late this afternoon. They will likely not be able to safely set up the fence until daylight returns tomorrow morning. They will set up the fence in one of the eastbound lanes. Setting up the fence will allow crews to safely survey the area and will provide safe access for trucks and other equipment.

WSDOT is asking drivers to consider several options: delay your trip over the pass, consider taking White Pass (US 12), Stevens Pass (US 2) or I-84. “To help keep traffic moving on alternate routes, we are deploying additional plows, sanders and de-icers to the other passes to keep those roads clear and accident-free,” said Christopher.

WSDOT recommends drivers check the pass report at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic before they leave, use the traveler information line (511) while on the road and pay attention to the highway advisory radio (AM 1610 or AM 530) and the variable message signs placed at key decision-making points.

10:30 a.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

Rockslide at snowshed - I-90 closed indefinitely- North Bend to Easton
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews closed eastbound I-90 east of North Bend(milepost 34) this morning at 9:15, after the situation involving an early morning rockslide became more dangerous. I-90 is now closed in both directions from North Bend to Easton (milepost 70). We will keep the interstate closed in both directions until deemed safe.

No one was injured in the slide.

WSDOT crews closed westbound I-90 at Easton just after 4 a.m. Rocks, some the size of refrigerators, fell onto the roadway, blocking the westbound lanes. At first light, WSDOT geotechs were able to get the area and make an assessment. They say there is much more potentially unstable material next to the roadway and it could come down at anytime.

“This rockslide is just as bad as the slide in September, although it's in a completely different place,” said Chris Christopher, State Maintenance Engineer. WSDOT has called in Wilder Construction to remove the rock on the road and on the slope. “It's too soon to tell when we'll be able to reopen the road. We'll probably have a better sense of that in the coming hours,” said Christopher.

The challenge in this slide is the location. It is a very narrow passage through the Cascades. The construction team must mobilize in the eastbound lanes to work on the slide clean up.

Cross-state travelers have several options: delay your trip over the pass, or use White Pass (US 12) or Stevens Pass (US 2 ) or I-84 in Oregon. “To help drivers use alternate routes, we are deploying additional plows, sanders and de-icers to the other passes to keep those roads clear and accident-free,” said Christopher.

6:30 a.m. Sunday, November 6, 2005

New rockslide at snowshed - westbound I-90 closed at Easton
Washington State Department of Transportation crews closed westbound I-90 four miles east of Snoqualmie Summit (milepost 58) at 4 a.m. after several rocks, some the size of refrigerators, fell onto the westbound lanes. The road will remain closed until WSDOT geotechnical experts determine it can be safely opened. As of 6:30 a.m., those experts were on their way to the summit.

Interstate 90 is closed to all westbound traffic at Easton (milepost 70)
When drivers get to Easton, they will be detoured off the roadway and turned around. Drivers have several options. They can wait out the closure in Cle Elum, take alternate routes like US 2 (Stevens Pass) or SR 12 (White Pass) Currently, traction tires are required across Stevens Pass. There are no restrictions for White Pass, although a snow advisory is listed for the area.

Just before 4 a.m., rocks fell across both lanes of westbound I-90 at milepost 58. WSDOT crews got to the scene fairly quickly, closed the road and set up the detour at Easton. Crews will assess the situation at first light and will open the road only after geotechnical experts say it's safe. As of 6:30 a.m. WSDOT cannot say when the road will reopen. Fortunately no vehicles were caught in the slide and none collided with the debris on the roadway.

Eastbound I-90 remains open. This slide is six miles east of the September 11 rockslide that killed three women.

“We know that closing I-90 creates a hardship for drivers. But you must understand, we cannot open this road until we can say it's safe for drivers,” said Doug MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation.

WSDOT has several ways to communicate with drivers headed to the pass and we strongly recommend that drivers use all these tools to get the very latest information. Check the passes before you head out at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic , call our traveler information line (5-1-1) while you are on the road. Please pay attention to highway advisory radio at AM 1610 and AM 530. These low-powered radio signals can be changed at a moment's notice. Also, pay attention to the variable message signs on the highway. Eight variable message signs across eastern Washington are advising travelers of the closure.

WSDOT Projects

Project Info

Snoqualmie Pass Rockslide Updates - Archives