Source: Washington Department of Transportation
ROCKPORT, Wash. — Emergency repairs to a flood-damaged section of State Route 530 south of Rockport are scheduled to begin Monday, Dec. 29, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The damaged stretch of SR 530, located near milepost 59 approximately eight miles south of Rockport, was severely impacted during recent flooding along the Sauk River. Contractor Trimaxx Construction, Inc. has been selected to perform the emergency work.
Temporary Bypass Planned During Construction
WSDOT crews and contractors will construct a temporary gravel bypass road along the east shoulder of SR 530 to allow limited local access through the work zone. Traffic will alternate through the bypass while crews rebuild the washed-out embankment, backfill the roadbed with gravel, and ultimately repave and restripe the highway.
During construction, WSDOT is urging drivers to limit travel on SR 530 between Rockport and Darrington to essential local access only. Delays are expected throughout the repair period.
If work proceeds as scheduled, WSDOT estimates the project will take approximately one month, with essential traffic restored sometime in January 2026.
Flooding Caused Major Highway Failure
The damage stems from a powerful atmospheric river event that brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding to northwest Washington earlier this month. On Dec. 11, the Sauk River reached peak flood stages, overtopping SR 530 and eroding roughly 300 feet of roadway embankment.
As floodwaters undermined the highway, a portion of the westbound lane above the eroded embankment collapsed and fell away.
SR 530 was fully closed for approximately one week while floodwaters receded and engineers assessed the extent of the damage. Since reopening, traffic has been restricted to alternating local access through the damaged area using a temporary signal.
Key Takeaways for Drivers
- Emergency repairs begin Dec. 29
- Temporary gravel bypass will carry alternating traffic
- Expect delays and plan for limited access
- Essential traffic expected to resume January 2026
- SR 530 travel between Rockport and Darrington should be limited to local use
WSDOT says it will continue providing updates as construction progresses and conditions change.
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