WDOT hopes to reopen White Pass in time for Xmas

Crews working with the Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) are working to reopen White Pass in time for Christmas.

The main section of repairs is taking place to the west of White Pass, where most of the damage occurred from a washout.

Still, the destruction located at milepost 141 is nearly repaired; filling material is based approximately half up the pass, stopping at milepost 142.

The crews are also installing a soil nail wall to the east of the route. The goal is to finish this portion of the project within the next few days. Their progress depends on the weather.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, crews will be repairing guardrails and re-paving the road, since both were damaged due to rockfall. The construction zone will be based past the Rimrock Tunnel. Until this work is finished, the road will be temporarily closed.

Crews also need to paint stripes on the road, erect a temporary barrier and establish temporary traffic lights before the road can be reopened for the holidays.

All of these repairs depend on the weather. Unfortunately, there is a winter storm warning currently in effect for the entire region.