Travel delays anticipated on Blewett Pass due to guardrail replacement

BLEWETT PASS — Slow traffic and backups across the Vantage Bridge have drivers looking for alternate cross-state routes, including Blewett Pass. But it’s construction season, there’s a project underway on Blewett Pass, so drivers should be prepared for delays until it’s completed in early June. 

It begins Tuesday, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. 

“The project is expected to run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications consultant. “The project is expected to be completed during the first week of June.” 

Construction crews will be working on guardrails near Lauderdale Junction, about 20 miles north of Ellensburg, and from the Blewett Pass summit to about seven miles south of Peshastin, according to the WSDOT press release. Moraga said crews will be replacing existing guardrails. 

“Travelers can expect reduced speed limits, automatic (or) flagger-controlled traffic, temporary rumble strips and pilot cars, and should plan for delays,” Moraga said. 

Work has started to clear the North Cascades Highway for the spring and summer, said Lauren Loebsack, WSDOT North Region communications director, in a press release. 

Crews began working last week to remove what the crew supervisor estimated was about 36 inches of snow, not counting drifts. Loebsack said. Crews are in or around the work zone from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

In winter, the highway is a popular destination for snowmobilers, who are asked to stay out of the area while work is underway. 

“The supervisor passed along a specific thank you to the public for moving snowmobiles and staying out of the work zone,” Loebsack said. 

A section of the highway about 40 miles east of Concrete has been closed due to a rockslide, she said. 

“An emergency project is in development to clear the road at that location,” she said.  

Further damage was discovered about 10 miles east of the rockslide, where the road washed out. 

“The plan is to fix this washout under an emergency contract once the rockslide at milepost 130 has been cleared and the site is accessible by our crews and contractors,” Loebsack said.