I-5 NB Still Closed Near Bellingham As Crews Shift To Stabilization

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Northbound Interstate 5 remains closed south of Bellingham after the March 19 landslide, and crews have shifted into a stabilization phase that will determine how soon the highway can reopen.

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WSDOT officials said the scale of the slide is a key reason why. Clearing the debris will take roughly 125 to 185 dump truck loads, based on estimates of 2,000 to 3,000 cubic yards of material covering the roadway.

That volume continues to slow progress and reshape the response. As a result, crews have moved beyond debris removal and are now focused on stabilizing the hillside above the roadway to prevent another collapse.

What changed on March 30?

Crews moved from scaling loose rock to drilling into the hillside to install 15- to 25-foot steel dowels. These dowels anchor the upper slope and reduce the risk of another slide.

This phase signals a shift from cleanup to structural stabilization. As a result, crews are focusing on safety before reopening rather than speed of debris removal.

Why is I-5 still closed?

Engineers need to stabilize the slope before they can safely clear remaining debris and reopen lanes. Thousands of cubic yards of material still sit near the roadway, and unstable ground above the slide area remains a risk.

Until the hillside is secured, reopening northbound I-5 is not considered safe.

When will I-5 reopen near Bellingham?

There is no confirmed reopening date.

However, stabilization work is a prerequisite for any timeline. Once crews finish installing steel dowels and engineers assess the slope, officials can provide a clearer estimate.

What detours should drivers use?

Freight and through traffic should use:

SR 20
SR 9
SR 542

Drivers should also expect congestion on local roads and must follow posted speed limits through detour areas.

What drivers should expect next

Stabilization will continue in the coming days. After that, crews will resume debris removal and evaluate roadway conditions.

Until then, northbound I-5 will remain closed south of Bellingham, and delays across Whatcom County are expected to continue.

PNW Daily brings you this traffic report is part of the ongoing crash report series sponsored by CrashLaw.NET. If you’ve been seriously injured, give Ziad Youssef and the team a call today at (360) 255-5046.