WSDOT to reopen section of US-2 with daytime pilot car operations

LEAVENWORTH — U.S. Highway 2 will reopen to daytime traffic from Coles Corner to Stevens Pass starting Dec. 29, which includes pilot car operations through an active work zone, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The highway has been closed from Skykomish to Leavenworth since mid-December after severe flooding caused multiple mudslides and washouts. According to WSDOT, work to repair several sections of damaged highway between Scenic and Mill Creek Road began Dec. 18. Enough progress has been made to reopen part of the highway with daytime pilot car operations.

The highway will be open during the day, without a pilot car, from Coles Corner (milepost 85) to  Mill Creek Road (milepost 71). From milepost 71 to the ski resort at milepost 64, traffic will be guided by a pilot car through an active work zone, alternating one direction at a time.

The pilot car will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily as conditions allow. According to WSDOT, travelers should expect delays of up to 60 minutes, with weather and road conditions potentially increasing wait times even longer. The reopened sections will close nightly at 6 p.m. 

US-2 remains closed west of the ski resort to Skykomish (milepost 50). WSDOT began work to clear debris from a bridge east of Skykomish (milepost 54) on Dec. 20. The department said it would inspect the bridge for damages to determine the possibility of reopening on Dec. 29.

US-2 at Tumwater Canyon remains closed from east of Coles Corner (milepost 85) to Leavenworth (milepost 99). Repairs started on Dec. 23, according to WSDOT. The detour is Chumstick Highway, a rural county road with lower speeds and bridge restrictions. Drivers should plan for longer travel times on the Chumstick Highway detour.

Up-to-date travel information can be found at wsdot.com/travel/real-time/map/.

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