WSDOT says the North Cascades Highway could fully reopen June 19, about a week ahead of schedule, after crews completed major washout and rockslide repairs on SR 20. (Photo: WSDOT)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Drivers hoping to cross the North Cascades this month received some welcome news from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT announced Monday that crews now expect to fully reopen State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, by June 19, about a week earlier than the agency’s previous June 25 estimate. The reopening remains dependent on favorable weather and no unexpected construction setbacks.
The update comes after contractor crews began paving damaged sections of the highway June 5, marking a major milestone in the effort to repair extensive storm damage that has kept part of the scenic route closed for months.
Paving Underway on Damaged Highway
A stretch of SR 20 between Ross Dam Trailhead at milepost 134 and Porcupine Creek at milepost 156 has remained closed since the highway partially reopened from the east side April 30. Winter storms and washouts damaged multiple sections of roadway, making the corridor unsafe to reopen until crews completed repairs.
WSDOT said paving crews started work Friday and expect to finish asphalt work this week if dry weather continues. Before the highway can reopen, crews must also complete lane striping and other finishing tasks that require warm, dry conditions.
Damage Stretched Across Miles of Roadway
Since mid-May, contractors with Trimaxx Construction have worked seven days a week repairing a six-mile section of highway between Canyon Creek Trailhead and the Granite Creek area.
According to WSDOT, crews rebuilt three damaged roadway embankments, repaired more than 1,000 feet of undermined or collapsed lane, restored approximately two miles of damaged shoulder and fixed roughly three miles of ditch line. Workers also addressed damaged guardrail, concrete barriers and about 15 culverts affected by winter storms.
The work followed a series of atmospheric river storms in December 2025 that washed out portions of the roadway. A separate rockslide near Diablo Lake in March added another major repair project before the route could reopen.
Access Remains Restricted
While repairs continue, the section between Ross Dam Trailhead and Porcupine Creek remains closed to vehicles, hikers, bicyclists and campers. WSDOT says the area is an active construction zone and prohibits public access until work is complete.
The agency previously moved the western closure point eastward after completing rockslide repairs near Diablo Lake, restoring access to popular destinations including Ross Dam Trailhead and the Diablo Lake Vista Point.
If current progress holds, the June 19 reopening would restore the highway in time for the Juneteenth holiday weekend and several weeks ahead of WSDOT’s original goal of reopening before the Fourth of July.
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