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Crews inspect the section of road that sunk on US 2 east of Index. View more damage photos.
View a diagram of the soil nail wall design.
Keep track of progress with updates as we repair the damaged road.
Project Facts
- The temporary concrete wall is approximately 130 feet long.
- The permanent solution will include a wall that is approximately 200 feet long, made of steel and wood.
- The speed limit in the area will remain 35 mph until permanent repairs are complete in late summer 2008.
May 2008
- We installed a new culvert and completed temporary repairs to stabilize the hillside.
- We expect to advertise the permanent repair project for competitive bidding in June 2008.
- Even though crews are not out on the roadway, the 35 mph speed limit remains in place and will be enforced until the steep curve has been eliminated.
- Find out about projects in Snohomish County with regular e-mail updates.
We have stabilized the section of US 2, just east of Index, where the road sank over seven feet in November 2006.
This area required emergency repair after record rains saturated the soil under US 2 causing a landslide. Crews built a 130-foot-long wall to stabilize the road and installed a new culvert to help remove underground water that could cause further erosion. Meanwhile, our design engineers have been working on finding a permanent solution for the unstable slope.
Why is WSDOT
repairing this section of US 2?
In November 2006, record rainfall saturated the soil under the eastbound lane of US 2 east of Index, causing a section of the roadway to sink by more than seven feet.
To keep traffic moving, crews paved the existing shoulder and shifted traffic west. We also reduced the speed limit to 35 mph and continually monitored the area near the slide to protect driver safety.
On January 9, crews began temporary repairs by constructing a soil nail wall to stabilize the hillside. We also worked on an old, rusted drainage pipe. After struggling to find a workable solution, we finally decided to install an additional drainage pipe 50 feet to the west. While crews worked to keep the road open, our design engineers have been working on a permanent solution for this area. We are considering a soldier pile wall, made of steel and wood, measuring approximately 200 feet long and 20 feet tall.
The End Result
The slope under this section of US 2 will be stabilized by a permanent wall. We will also add a drainage culvert to increase capacity, repave the road, return it to the original configuration and restore the speed limit to 60 mph.
Project Benefits
- Safety: We will build a wall to stabilize US 2 east of Index which will keep the road open and prevent it from sinking further. Once the ground is stabilized, crews will repave the road, removing a bump that developed as a result of repeated pavement patching. They will also return the road to its original configuration, eliminating the sharp curve and reducing the speed limit.
- Environment: We will install a new drainage system to protect the area from further erosion.
- Economic Incentive: We will repave this section of roadway, eliminating the need for frequent repairs which are costly and inconvenient. Permanent repairs will also help to prevent future road closures.
What is the project timeline?
- November 2006 - The eastbound lane of US 2 began cracking and ultimately sank after record rains caused a landslide.
- January 3, 2007 - We awarded the emergency contract to Wilder Construction of Everett.
- January 9, 2007 - Crews began temporary repairs to stabilize the hillside.
- February 2007 - Our design engineers began plans for a permanent fix.
- August 2007 - Crews completed the temporary repairs.
- Summer 2008 - We will select the contractor with the most competitive bid and begin construction. We expect to finish the repairs by late 2008.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. For more details about project involvement, contact WSDOT Design Engineer Dave Lindberg.
Environmental Protection
During construction we will ensure that our contractor takes all necessary steps to protect the environment and to comply with environmental permits.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Fixing and stabilizing this sunken section of US 2 will help keep the slope from washing away in future storms. Once we have stabilized the slope, we will be able to repave the road. This will eliminate a bump in the road caused by repeated patching. Repaving will also restore the road to its original alignment, eliminating a sharp curve and the need for a reduced speed limit.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
We seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Notification of work has been sent to the Tulalip, Snoqualmie and Yakama Tribes in accordance with emergency repair procedures outlined in Section 106
Financial Information
- Funding for temporary repair - $1.3 million from Federal Emergency Aid
- Funding for permanent repairs - $2.9 million
- $2.5 million from Federal Emergency Aid
- $.4 million existing funds
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $4.2 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Construction Engineer Dave Lindberg
12277 134th Court NE, Suite 200
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: 425-814-7104
Email: LindbeD@wsdot.wa.gov
WSDOT Communications Sarah Thomas
15700 Dayton Avenue North
PO Box 330310 MS: 103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: 206-440-4470
E-mail: thomas@wsdot.wa.gov
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