US 12 / White Pass has dramatic washouts

Crews survey the worst damaged stretch of road
Photo courtesy WSDOT

US 12 over White Pass is closed due to major weather related events which caused a dramatic road washouts and rock slide.

WSDOT is trying to assess the damage at four separate locations but they are slowed by winter weather conditions, including new snowfall. Some of the areas are so dangerous that they are using drones to assess the damage.

Currently, crews are taking steps to repair four areas of concern:

• A rockslide at milepost 166 near Rimrock Tunnel
• A washout at milepost 154, three miles east of White Pass
• Two washouts between mileposts 141 and 142 west of White Pass.

That's not plastic on the roadway. It's rushing water.
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Project details

Rock slide, milepost 166 near the Rimrock Tunnel

An assessment of the hillside above the roadway determined there was no evidence of further slope failure in the past few days.

Crews are now clearing debris from the rockslide at milepost 166 near the tunnel. The hard closure on the east side of White Pass remains at milepost 159, just beyond the entrance to Clear Lake at the upper Tieton Reservoir Road. 

Important to pay attention to road signs
Rock slide on US 12
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Washout, milepost 154, three miles east of White Pass

WSDOT geotechnical engineers are assessing the washout at milepost 154, east of White Pass by having contractor remove the pavement to see how far the slope has failed underneath the pavement.

Contractors cut away the concrete to assess damage underneath
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Washouts, milepost 141 and 142, west of White Pass

The contractor will begin clearing rock and debris from catch basins and culverts to divert water from the area. Once the water is diverted, crews will begin placing rock to rebuilt the slope.

WSDOT’s assessment determined the slope washed out under the eastbound lane and shoulder at milepost 142. On milepost 141, only the shoulder of the eastbound lane washed out. WSDOT is concerned about the stability of the remaining westbound lane at both locations.

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