US-2 reopens 24/7 over Stevens Pass after emergency repairs, restoring night skiing access

STEVENS PASS —  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has completed emergency repair work on a section of US-2 (milepost 58 to 71) just east of Stevens Pass.

As a result, US-2 from Coles Corner to Stevens Pass is open 24 hours a day without pilot car operations. Following WSDOT’s announcement, Stevens Pass Ski Resort said it would begin night skiing operations starting Jan. 14. The Nordic Center would open for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow play on Jan. 15. The ski resort is now also running shuttles between the resort and its satellite lots at Yodelin and the Nordic Center when parking is full.

“We are incredibly grateful to WSDOT and Hurst Construction for their hard work throughout the past several weeks…The events of the past few weeks have had a big impact on our community.  Thank you for your patience as we have been on this journey back to full operations,” wrote Stevens Pass General Manager Ellen Galbraith, in the announcement.

East of the summit (milepost 64-68), a section of the right-hand eastbound lanes has been reduced from two lanes to one lane where the pavement is too damaged to fix the lane at this time. WSDOT said lane restoration and additional repair would be completed later this year, when conditions improved for compaction and paving.

December flooding undermined the road and damaged culverts and drainage facilities between milepost 58 and 71, according to WSDOT. Emergency repairs included clearing debris and mud, stabilizing the road and rebuilding ditches. While the work was in progress, the highway was limited to day time traffic led by a pilot car, which previously restricted the ski resort’s operations.

As travel resumes to normal operations over Stevens Pass, WSDOT reminded drivers to be prepared for winter travel. Additionally, mountain passes can close for many reasons, including spin outs, collisions and avalanche control. Travel updates can be found on WSDOT’s real time travel map.

WSDOT is continuing repair work on US-2 through Tumwater Canyon, with no estimated time of reopening. The detour is Chumstick Highway, a rural county road with weight and bridge restrictions.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media