Crews continue 24/7 operations on the I-5 landslide south of Bellingham after breaking apart a massive “bus-sized” boulder that had slowed cleanup efforts. (WSDOT)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Crews have cleared a major obstacle in the ongoing landslide response on northbound Interstate 5 south of Bellingham, breaking apart the “bus-sized” boulder that had slowed progress for days.
“UPDATE 4/9: We continue to process and haul debris from the site,” Washington Department of Transportation-North said Thursday evening. “Last night we removed nearly 1,000 cubic yards of material.” We also expect to finish installing rock dowels to stabilize the slope & begin testing them Friday.”
“Miss the bus? Yeah, we don’t either,” WSDOT-North posted to X on Wednesday afternoon. “The bus-sized rock has been completely broken up.”
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The milestone comes as crews continue working around the clock to stabilize the slope and remove debris from the March 19 slide site.
“There’s still a few more large boulders to process, and we continue stabilization work on the slope above,” WSDOT said.
Major Progress, But Work Remains
The massive boulder is now completely broken up, according to the latest update. Still, several more large rocks remain on the slope and will require similar processing before crews can fully assess and stabilize the area.
During daylight hours, crews are drilling and installing steel anchors as they work their way down the hillside. Meanwhile, after dark, operations shift to hauling debris away from the roadway to keep the project moving continuously.
As previously reported, 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.
Highway Still Closed, No Timeline Yet
Despite the progress, northbound I-5 remains closed south of Bellingham, with no estimated reopening date announced. As a result, the closure continues to impact both commuters and freight traffic across the region.
Detours And Delays Continue
Freight traffic is still moving along the designated detour. Officials warn drivers to expect delays as work continues and traffic diverts away from the closure zone.
Current Freight Detour Route
SR 20 → SR 9 → SR 542
This is a developing story. PNW Daily will continue to update as WSDOT and emergency crews release new information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is northbound I-5 open south of Bellingham?
No. Northbound I-5 remains closed south of Bellingham as of the latest update. No reopening date has been announced. Crews are working around the clock on slope stabilization and debris removal from the March 19 landslide.
What is the detour for northbound I-5 near Bellingham?
Freight traffic is moving via State Route 20, State Route 9, and State Route 542. Drivers should expect significant delays along the detour route.
What is the latest update on the I-5 landslide near Bellingham?
Crews have fully broken apart the bus-sized boulder at the March 19 slide site south of Bellingham. Several more large rocks remain on the slope. Crews drill and install steel anchors during the day and haul debris at night. No reopening date has been announced.
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