SKYKOMISH, Wash. — Governor Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that the west side of U.S. Highway 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass will fully reopen to traffic starting Sunday, Jan. 4, after historic flooding damaged multiple sections of the critical mountain pass route.
The east side of Highway 2, between Stevens Pass and Coles Corner, reopened Monday with restrictions using a pilot car that operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those restrictions will remain in place for months as repair work continues.
“This is fantastic news – better than our best-case scenarios a few weeks ago,” Ferguson said during a Tuesday press conference. “We understand that when a major highway is closed, the impacts to the community, to individuals and to businesses are significant.”
Skykomish Mayor Henry Sladek expressed relief at the announcement, noting severe economic impacts during the closure.
“This is a great first step, it’s great news,” Sladek said at the press conference. “We’re just thrilled. I myself have a business here in town, it’s a small inn. Our business was impacted between 80 to 90%. So this is huge.”
The highway closure began Dec. 10 when multiple washouts and mudslides forced crews to close the route between Index and Coles Corner. The closure expanded the following day to include Tumwater Canyon on the east side of the pass.
Despite the partial reopening, officials warn travelers to expect delays and consider alternate routes like Interstate 90 or U.S. Highway 12. U.S. Highway 2 remains an active work zone as crews continue repair work through Tumwater Canyon.
Real-time traffic information is available through the WSDOT mobile app and travel map.
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