Why is WSDOT
working to restore transportation along the Naches River?
On Sunday, Oct. 11, a massive landslide demolished a half-mile of SR 410 15 miles west of Naches. The landslide pushed significant amounts of earth and pavement into the Naches River, destroying at least two homes and changing the river's course. Dozens of nearby residents were evacuated because of potential flooding. Gov. Gregoire proclaimed an emergency in Yakima County due to the damage.
The highway is closed between milepost 104, the west intersection of the Nile Loop Road, and milepost 108, the east intersection of the Nile Loop Road. To keep drivers safe, WSDOT and WSP initially closed approximately 47 miles of SR 410 between Mount Rainier National Park's Tipsoo Lake (just east of the junction with SR 123) and the junction with US 12, five miles west of Naches. Through traffic should still use alternate routes such as I-90 or US 12 and SR 123.
The End Result
SR 410 is currently under 25 to 30 feet of rock and other debris. Due to the immensity of the landslide and concerns about the stability of the remaining hillside, we are carefully assessing possible options to restore the transportation corridor along the Naches River.
Our short-term goal is to restore local traffic via the country road system. We will continue to work closely with local jurisdictions to develop a long-term fix for the roadway.
Project Benefits
Our long-term fix will restore a safe, reliable transportation corridor along the Naches River.
What is the project timeline?
- Oct. 11, 2009 - WSDOT and WSP closed approximately 47 miles of SR 410 following a massive landslide that destroyed a section of the highway.
- Oct. 13, 2009 - Selland Construction crews working for WSDOT began building a temporary roadway to restore emergency services and limited local access to the Nile Valley community. WSDOT shortened the SR 410 closure from 47 miles to four miles (milepost 104 to milepost 108).
- Oct. 20, 2009 - WSDOT opened emergency detour on Nile Loop Road to all drivers.
- Oct. 22, 2009 - WSDOT and Selland Construction started to build the 4,000-foot-long section of the SR 410 detour away from the river and landslide.
- Nov. 16, 2009 - Due to forecasted flooding, WSDOT shifted traffic onto the 4,000-foot-long SR 410 detour. Yakima County started cutting through the temporary detour on Nile Loop Road in two places to divert the river away from the base of the landslide.
- Nov. 17, 2009 - Yakima County started diverting the Naches River into new river channel.
- Nov. 18, 2009 - WSDOT in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife rescue and relocate fish stranded by diversion of water into the new river channel.
- Fall 2009 - We will work on an immediate plan to restore local traffic via the county road system. We will continue to monitor the slide area. We will station crews on both sides of the slide to help clear snow and ice as winter weather begins. Once local traffic has been restored, we will begin working on a permanent fix.
Financial Information
We are currently developing cost estimates for temporary and permanent repairs.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Please call our hotline for up-to-date information: 509-577-1635. You can also check current road conditions.
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