A 49-mile stretch of Highway 2 between Skykomish and Leavenworth will remain closed for several months after historic flooding and ongoing landslides caused extensive damage.
The closure follows widespread destruction along the corridor, which remains unstable as water and debris continue to impact the roadway, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced at a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 16.
“It’s premature to estimate exactly how long that will be, but that is obviously a major highway,” Ferguson said. “We understand the patience of businesses and individuals, and human lives, about not having that highway available for an extended period of time.
“We’re going to do everything we possibly can to repair it as quickly as possible, but it is literally underwater in stages. There are major, major issues on that roadway.”
Officials said repeated landslides and flooding have made the area unsafe, complicating damage assessments and delaying repairs.
The prolonged closure is expected to hit the regional economy hard, particularly the Stevens Pass ski resort and the town of Leavenworth, both of which depend heavily on winter tourism during the holiday season.
Highway 2 is a primary east-west route across the Cascades, and its loss forces travelers and commercial traffic to seek lengthy detours.
The highway is not the only route affected by the extreme weather. Portions of I-90, US Highway 12, and State Route 410 have also sustained significant damage and remain under assessment.
State transportation officials said repair timelines will depend on weather conditions and slope stability in the coming weeks.
They’re also urging the public to stay completely out of the closure area, warning that some people have been biking and recreating between barricades despite the dangers.
“Our crews have been working nonstop in miserable weather to stack sandbags, clear debris, assess damage, and make repairs,” WSDOT said on Facebook .”This is one thing they really shouldn’t have to deal with.”
Officials warned that conditions along Highway 2 remain unpredictable, with risks including debris slides, roadway collapse into the river, and large logs or obstructions hidden around bends.
Any emergency response in the closed zone would pull personnel and equipment away from the most critically damaged areas, the agency said.
On the Skykomish side of the closure, WSDOT said geotechnical teams are continuing to assess slope stability and determine next steps. In Tumwater Canyon, officials warned that the river is forecast to rise again into flood stage, which could further alter repair plans.
Want more local news? Follow Puget Press Snohomish County on Facebook.
