Landslide closes northbound I-5 in Bellingham and a look at the work it takes to reopen the highway

By RB McKeon and David Rasbach

Landslide blocks all northbound lanes of I-5 near Bellingham

A landslide has closed all lanes of northbound I-5 near Bellingham on, with large rocks, soil and trees across the roadway and an unstable slope.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, two landslides came down onto northbound I-5 near milepost 248, closing all northbound lanes between North Lake Samish Road (milepost 246) and Fairhaven Parkway (milepost 251). The slide brought about 2,000 cubic yards of rock, soil and trees onto the roadway.

Some of the rocks are the size of pickup trucks and several are larger than a metro-bus, tumbling from 60 to 80-feet above and are now unstable and unsupported. The debris stretches about 250-feet along the highway and is up to 65-feet tall in places.

What WSDOT is doing

Heavy machinery used to break apart large rocks along northbound I-5 near Bellingham as crews begin clearing debris from the landslide area.

This is more than clearing debris. It is complex, specialized work and safety is at the core of every decision.

Geotechnical engineers have been on site since shortly after the slide, working to understand what’s happening on the slope, not just what came down on Thursday, but what could still come down.

WSDOT executed an emergency contract on Saturday, March 21, selecting Interwest Construction, Inc. as the contractor to perform the work needed to reopen the freeway.

Here’s what that work looks like:

Assessing the slope: Engineers are evaluating conditions above and behind the visible rock face, including cracks that can’t be seen from the roadway.

Clearing what’s safe: Crews are removing some debris from the bottom of the slide and breaking apart larger rocks so they can be hauled away.

Scaling the slope: Specialty crews using hand tools and compressed air are beginning to remove loose rock from the hillside, working from the top down to reduce risk.

Stabilizing the slope: Crews will shift between scaling and rock bolting – the process of drilling deep into the rock face and securing it to help prevent additional movement.

In some areas, the debris is actually helping to hold unstable rock in place. Removing it too soon could trigger another slide.

Crews are working seven days a week, but some of this work can only happen during daylight hours and under certain weather conditions.

We are moving as quickly and safely as we can to return the freeway to normal operations.

Why is the road still closed?

We know one of the biggest questions is: Why can’t you clear road and reopen at least one lane? Right now, it is not safe to do that. There is still unstable rock above the roadway that is unsupported and could fall. Crews are actively working on the slope, and we cannot have traffic moving through an active work zone where rocks could come down. Also, some of the debris that is remaining on the road is acting as a buffer, helping to protect the road surface and prevent additional damage.

Until we understand and stabilize what’s above the highway, reopening, even partially, is not possible. We do not have an estimated timeline for reopening.

What travelers need to know

Northbound I-5 remains fully closed between North Lake Samish Road (milepost 246) and Fairhaven Parkway (milepost 251). Southbound I-5 is open and unaffected by this slide.

Detours and alternate routes are available:

• SR 9 is the preferred route for freight
• SR 11/Chuckanut Drive is available for passenger vehicles but not suitable for freight.
• NB I-5 is being pushed off at exit 246 North Lake Samish

When a major highway like I-5 closes unexpectedly, drivers often follow directions from navigation apps, even onto roads that are not intended to handle that volume or type of traffic.

Traveler resources

• Visit the WSDOT travel map for real-time travel and traffic conditions
• Follow along on social media: X, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok
• Sign up for email alerts
• Project page: Northbound I-5 Bellingham Slide – Emergency
• Project photos: Northbound I-5 slide near Bellingham
• Plan your route:
• SR 9 is the preferred route for freight
• SR 11/Chuckanut Drive is available for passenger vehicles
• As a reminder, WSDOT does not control third-party apps like Google, Waze or Apple.

Why this area is prone to slides and what we do to reduce risk

layers of soil and rock are visible on the exposed slop above northbound I-5 near Bellingham, where geotechnical engineers are assessing stability following the landslide.

This stretch of I-5 runs along a steep hillside made up of layered soils, rock and glacial material. In places, those layers can hold water and shift over time, especially during periods of sustained wet weather.

That combination of steep slopes, complex geology and moisture means this area is naturally prone to landslides.

Our maintenance crews regularly:

• Remove hazard trees and manage vegetation
• Clear drainage systems to move water away from slopes
• Inspect and maintain areas with a history of movement
• Install features like catchment areas or barriers designed to capture smaller debris before it reaches the roadway

You can see some of that work along I-5, including barriers meant to catch smaller rocks and debris. Large-scale slides like this, where significant amounts of material come down from higher on the slope, are much harder to predict and prevent. That’s especially true when there is movement happening above the visible rock face.

That’s why the work happening now is focused not just on clearing what came down but understanding and stabilizing what remains above the highway.

🎶 I can see clearly now the rain is (almost) gone 🎶

SR 99 from Lynnwood to Everett

You turned your clock back. The birds are singing. It's lighter later. And – dare to dream – the rainy season may soon be over. Spring is just around the corner, and so too is a new vision for SR 99 from Lynnwood to Everett. We are excited to share the final SR 99 Lynnwood and Unincorporated Snohomish County Pre-design Study report available on the study webpage.

Read on to learn about how and why we're trying to improve SR 99 for all travelers, what we've learned by talking to the community, and what's up next for our work.

Map showing the SR 99 study corridor from Lynnwood to unincorporated Snohomish County

🎶I can see all obstacles in my way 🎶

We know that this section of SR 99 has its challenges. Originally designed for cars and commerce, SR 99 through Snohomish County has room for improvement when it comes to providing comfortable, reliable options for all modes of transportation.

In 2023, we received grants to study how to improve SR 99 to meet Complete Streets requirements and to better integrate SR 99 into the local network. One way we assessed what improvements are needed is by looking at the key challenges of the area based on data and community and agency feedback. Challenges identified include:

• Stressful conditions for people walking and biking.
• Incomplete bike and pedestrian facilities and missing connections.
• Large distances between controlled pedestrian crossings.
• Between 2019 and 2023, there were more than 60 fatal or serious injury crashes.
• Unreliable or lack of access to transit.
• Balancing the needs of freight and local traffic.
• Too few affordable, healthy travel options for everyone.

However, for all its challenges, this section of SR 99 has so many opportunities:

• Three Community Transit Swift bus rapid transit lines run along (Blue line) or cross (Orange and Green lines) the corridor.
• Link light rail is close by today, while a future unfunded Link station at SR 99 and Airport Road will serve the community.
• Existing and future planned Business Access and Transit lanes between 148th Street Southwest and Airport Road to help prioritize buses over other vehicles.
• Paine Field is just north of the area, serving as a major regional travel and employment hub.
• New housing options are being developed right along the corridor.

New housing is being built along the SR 99 corridor in Snohomish County

🎶 Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for 🎶

We wanted to hear what you, the community, thought about options to improve SR 99. And hear from you we did! We heard comments and feedback from nearly 1,000 people via tabling events, online open houses and surveys, and focus groups.

According to you, these are the most important investments we could make:

Theme	Summary of Community Feedback
Better Transit Service	Community emphasized the need for buses to be on schedule and reliable. Community requested easier access to bus stops.
Pedestrian‑Level Amenities and Lighting	Community highlighted the importance of better lighting and a more welcoming streetscape for pedestrians, specifically landscaping and trees.
Slow Traffic Speeds	Community requested slower traffic speeds in locations where speeding and walking frequently overlap.
More Frequent Controlled Crossings	Community identified areas lacking controlled crossing spots, particularly around commercial areas and activity centers.

Based on this feedback, we developed two types of recommendations.

The first type of recommendation was for corridor-wide concepts which show the details of a roadway like number of lanes, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and center median. There were two of these: separated bike lanes or shared-use paths.

Take a look at each of these:

Corridor-wide concept showing separated bike lanes and sidewalks alongside SR 99

Corridor-wide concept showing a shared-use path that combines walking and biking space behind a landscaped buffer

While similar in that each recommended corridor-wide concept offers separate travel lanes for cars and buses, landscaping closest to the sidewalk, and improved pedestrian lighting, the big difference is how people walking or bicycling travel: either in separated bike lanes and sidewalks, or traveling together in a shared-use path. The idea for these two concepts is that they are interchangeable, depending on which concept makes the most sense in specific places.

The second type of recommendation are spot treatment packages which consist of multiple spot treatments in different types of locations. There are four spot treatment packages.

Examples of spot treatments that can make crossings shorter, clearer, and more comfortable for people walking and rolling

The first spot treatment package, Enhancements at Traffic Lights, combines multiple spot treatments like crosswalks, pedestrian crossings and crossing islands that could be implemented where there is an existing traffic signal such as the intersection of SR 99 and SR 524/196th Street Southwest.

Package 1 combines multiple improvements that can be implemented at traffic signals to improve safety and comfort.

The third spot treatment package, controlled pedestrian crossing, adds a new signalized crossing for pedestrians in between roadway intersections, which combines crosswalks, a pedestrian island, pedestrian signals, and improved lighting spot treatments.

Dedicated bus lanes can improve transit reliability while the corridor is redesigned to better support all travel modes.

Check out our complete study to learn more about the corridor-wide concepts and the spot treatment packages plus where we might build them.

🎶Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies 🎶

We're excited about the corridor-wide concepts and spot treatment packages you helped us develop. These will provide new and improved options for people to walk, roll, bike, take the bus or drive:

• Walk, roll, or bike: More dedicated space. Better connections to Swift buses along the corridor. Bike facilities. Improved sidewalks and crossings.
• Take the bus: Dedicated bus lanes mean more reliable arrival times and better connections to light rail.
• Drive: Maintaining four vehicle lanes (two in each direction). Access to residences, local businesses and services is maintained. Expect some traffic congestion during rush hour.

🎶 It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), sun-shiny day 🎶

Even though we finished our study, in a way, our work is just beginning.

We're going to keep working with the community and our partners at the cities of Lynnwood, Everett, and Edmonds, Snohomish County, Community Transit and Sound Transit. Together, we can figure out how to make these concepts reality.

Our study is only the first step. We will need additional funding, partnership and engagement to finish our work and build the complete vision.

Read more information on our project website: SR 99 Lynnwood and Unincorporated Snohomish County Pre-design Study | WSDOT

Take a 3-minute break with Jimmy Cliff, who inspired the theme of this blog post: https://youtu.be/MrHxhQPOO2c?si=Z68HwsNEQqBWnyii

All Roads Lead to Bingen

By: Sarah Hannon-Nein

Where a Mill Town Meets a Modern Need

The small town of Bingen sits quietly along the Columbia River in Klickitat County. For years, the town has relied on the lumber industry and on the river to stay connected and thriving.

But for travelers, workers, and emergency responders, one barrier has stood in their way.

To reach Bingen Point and the Port of Klickitat, drivers must cross railroad tracks that run along the south side of State Route 14. When trains pass through, or stop on the tracks, traffic backs up—causing long delays. For some, these delays can be frustrating. In an emergency, they can be critical.

The City of Bingen has grown quickly in recent years. As the town has grown, traffic on SR 14 has also increased. That makes this project even more important. It addresses today’s traffic concerns and prepares the community for future growth.

But there’s good news. A long-term solution is now underway.

The new roundabout at the intersection of Juniper Street and SR 14 will improve traffic flow and safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Keeping Bingen Moving

Late last year, construction started on the SR 14 Bingen and Port of Klickitat Access Improvements project. The key feature is a new underpass beneath the railroad tracks. This allows drivers to travel between SR 14, Bingen Point, and the Port without stopping and waiting for trains.

The underpass under construction on SR 14 in Bingen, allowing traffic to pass beneath the railroad tracks.

The underpass will create a safer and more reliable connection while improving traffic flow. But this project does more than save time. It helps keep people and goods moving safely and smoothly, without unexpected delays.

A Street Named by the People

Before construction began, project designers studied the area near the train tracks. Their goal was to improve travel, reduce congestion and delays and increase safety. They decided that building a new road next to the underpass would give the community more direct access to the port.

In 2023, WSDOT and the City of Bingen attended the annual Huckleberry Festival. Keeping with Bingen's tradition of naming streets after trees, they invited residents to help name the newest street.

The winning name: Juniper Street.

The Roundabout Difference

At the intersection of Juniper Street and SR 14, another key feature is taking shape: a new roundabout.

Roundabouts help keep traffic moving smoothly. They're safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. By slowing down, yielding, and moving when its safe, drivers reduce backups, lower the risk of serious collisions, and improve travel time.

At the center of this roundabout, a special feature tells the story of Bingen.

The Story at the Center

Located within the heart of the roundabout, a historic pond boat will be displayed as public art. The boat was once used by SDS Lumber Company to move logs along the Columbia River. It was donated to the city of Bingen for this purpose and to honor the town's legacy as a lumber community.

Historic pond boats once used by SDS Lumber Company to move logs, now displayed as public art in the roundabout center

The display is a reminder that while Bingen is growing, it hasn't forgotten its roots.

From Timber to Today

Bingen takes pride in its working-class spirit, cultural and economic diversity, and strong connection to outdoor recreation. This project reflects key parts of Bingen's vision as a rural town along an important transportation corridor.

• Safety: Improving traffic flow and access for first responders and reducing crashes.
• Connectivity: Providing easier, faster access to businesses and recreational opportunities on Bingen Point.
• Community: Inviting residents to help plan the project and name new streets.
• Heritage: Honoring the town's history through meaningful public art.

In Bingen, progress means honoring the past while building a safe, connected, and livable future for everyone.

They’re back -- FREE overnight high school transportation summer camps

By Lisa Walzl

Are you a high school student passionate about a career in transportation? Or just curious about the rapidly evolving industry? Ever want to take a behind the scenes tour of a bridge or other parts of our state transportation system? Do you know a teenager who would?

If so, we have an adventure-filled summer camp experience for you. Back by popular demand, we're offering high school students a chance to spend a week exploring the transportation field. Students will do hands-on projects and get university-led instruction. They'll get to experience real-world applications in planning, engineering and technology. You'll find this all at our Washington Transportation Camp 2026 hosted by PacTrans and WSDOT.

Students touring the WSDOT Transportation Management Center in Shoreline.

We're offering two free immersive camp experiences this summer. Both camps include lodging at a state university. One is a six-day camp at Washington State University in Pullman from June 21-26. The second is a six-day camp at the University of Washington in Seattle from Aug. 2-7. Students will stay on campus in university dormitories during the camp. Sponsors cover all lodging and meals. There are no costs for students.

We are currently accepting applications. The deadline to apply for both camps is Friday, April 10. To be considered, applicants must be entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade at a Washington state school for the fall 2026 semester. They also need to be able to attend the entire session. You don't need previous experience in engineering or transportation – but curiosity is a must!

To learn more about these programs and to apply, visit the camp website.

Students meeting with the WSDOT Incident Response Team.

Both camps offer students the chance to:

• Take field trips. Professionals will take students to transportation facilities like the Northwest Region Transportation Management Center. You'll gain insight into their inner workings.
• Showcase their knowledge in collaborative group projects.
• Make new friends and experience life on a college campus.
• Explore the potential for a future career in transportation – whether it's in engineering, planning or beyond.

Students creating transportation models at the Washington State University camp.

This could be the start of a career in transportation, engineering, planning or a whole host of other fields. But even if it's not, participants will learn more about the transportation systems they use every day. And they’ll have some pretty good stories to share with friends and family about the unique experience they had over the summer.

We hope to see you there!