Detour opens travel around highway slide in Tumwater Canyon

A new detour along U.S. Highway 2 will now enable drivers to get from Leavenworth to Stevens Pass, reopening access to both the Bavarian village and skin resort at a critical time of year for the economy of both locations.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reopened a portion of the highway on Monday to daylight pilot car operations. A pilot car will guide alternating one-way traffic between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily between Stevens Pass Resort (MP 64) and Mill Creek Road (MP 71).

U.S. Highway 2, Stevens Pass, will also reopen from MP 71 to Coles Corner (MP 85) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. This section will not have a pilot car.

U.S. Highway 2 at Skykomish REMAINS CLOSED from MP 50 to MP 64. Work to clear debris from a bridge just east of Skykomish at MP 54 began Dec. 20. Contractor crews are actively continuing to clear debris and are working with bridge inspectors, geotechnical engineers and other specialists to evaluate damage and develop repair plans. If the bridge can reopen, it may include limited traffic through a single lane.

U.S. Highway 2 at Tumwater Canyon REMAINS CLOSED from east of Coles Corner (MP 85) to Leavenworth (MP 99). Repairs started Dec. 23, and it's expected that that stretch of the highway will remain closed through mid-March. The detour to access the open portion of U.S. Highway 2 is Chumstick Highway, along Beaver Valley Road and highway 207 back to the highway.

Crews made enough progress clearing debris and stabilizing the roadway on US 2 Stevens Pass that this pilot car operation is possible. WSDOT advises drivers that the highway is still an active work zone and speed limits have been altered as repair work continues.