WSDOT is working on a washout on US 12 / White Pass that occurred Dec. 11.

The following is updates from WSDOT.

Updated 3 p.m. Dec. 13

Today, crews are plowing over a foot of snow on US 12 that fell yesterday.

East side washout
WSDOT Geotechnical experts have completed their initial evaluation of the east side washout at milepost 154 and have determined that a soil nail wall – a type of earth retaining wall that utilizes high strength steel rods (nails) is the most appropriate solution for this location. WSDOT’s contractor is mobilizing equipment from across the state and will be on site tomorrow.

West side washouts
Crews continue to move water away from the roadway and clear ditches. WSDOT decided to backfill the washed out areas with rock. The contractor’s material storage site at Dog Lake is covered in snow. When that is available, crews will work toward moving material to the west side to fill the wash outs.

Our timeline is weather dependent. Rain and snow can cause further damage to the hillside and it slows construction progress. Crews are working and as quickly and safely as possible to repair the highway.

Updated 2 p.m. Dec. 12

• Crews cleared rock and debris from the roadway near the east tunnel yesterday (milepost 166) and access is restored on US 12 to the Rimrock Lake area. A hard closure remains on the east side at the upper Tieton Road, milepost 159.
• WSDOT is providing access to LOCAL RESIDENTS ONLY through the east side washout. No access from the west.
• Currently, crews are working to stabilize the slope beneath the roadway on the east side at milepost 154. We are working to stabilize slopes before reopening to the public.
• Heavy snow forecasted may slow progress over the weekend.
• West of White Pass, crews have diverted water from the washout and continu to survey the damage and repairing drainage structures.
• Since Friday, crews have identified about four additional areas of road damage east of White Pass. We believe they are less severe, and may simply require shoulder repair, but are evaluating at this time.
• WE DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE FOR REOPENING US 12/ WHITE PASS.

Updated 12:30 p.m. Dec. 11

What is WSDOT doing?

• We are doing everything we can to reopen US 12 over White Pass quickly and safely. Our goal is to reopen lanes on both sides of White Pass as soon as possible. Winter weather conditions may slow or halt progress.
• At this time, we do not have an estimated reopening date.
• Currently, crews are taking steps to repair four areas of concern:

   

  A rockslide at milepost 166 near Rimrock Tunnel

  A washout at milepost 154, three miles east of White Pass

  Two washouts between mileposts 141 and 142 west of White Pass.

• WSDOT has selected Granite Construction to make repairs to US 12 caused by recent storm events. Currently, our contractor is mobilizing equipment to White Pass.
• WSDOT is working closely with emergency management services to ensure local residents have access to emergency services.

   

Project details

Rock slide, milepost 166 near the Rimrock Tunnel

An assessment of the hillside above the roadway determined there was no evidence of further slope failure in the past few days.

Crews are now clearing debris from the rockslide at milepost 166 near the tunnel. The hard closure on the east side of White Pass remains at milepost 159, just beyond the entrance to Clear Lake at the upper Tieton Reservoir Road.

Washout, milepost 154, three miles east of White Pass

WSDOT geotechnical engineers are assessing the washout at milepost 154, east of White Pass by having our contractor remove the pavement to see how far the slope has failed underneath the pavement.

Washouts, milepost 141 and 142, west of White Pass

The contractor will begin clearing rock and debris from catch basins and culverts to divert water from the area. Once the water is diverted, crews will begin placing rock to rebuilt the slope.

WSDOT’s assessment determined the slope washed out under the eastbound lane and shoulder at milepost 142. On milepost 141, only the shoulder of the eastbound lane washed out. WSDOT is concerned about the stability of the remaining westbound lane at both locations.