Highway 2 Fully Reopens Over Stevens Pass After Long Closure

SKYKOMISH, WA — Highway 2 fully reopened over Stevens Pass summit Thursday afternoon, four days after heavy snow brought trees and powerlines down onto the road. The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the highway indefinitely Sunday evening, cutting off all access between Gold Bar to the summit, citing ongoing hazards from heavy snow atop tall trees.

State and local agencies joined good Samaritans in the area Wednesday, delivering food, fuel, and other items to residents living near the towns of Index, Baring, and Skykomish. Deputies from the King County Sheriff's Office waded through waist-deep snow to check on homes and offer supplies, evacuation, or other assistance.

WSDOT crews were able to clear some of the debris Wednesday and reopened the road up to Skykomish. Better conditions Thursday allowed teams to finish fixing powerlines and plowing the roadway. The final portion of the closure, between Skykomish and the summit, reopened by mid-afternoon Thursday.

"We know this has been a stressful and at times frustrating week, and we extend a huge thank you to the residents of the area, and the rest of the public for their patience throughout," WSDOT said. "We also offer our gratitude to all the crews who worked to keep people safe and reopen the road."

The latest forecasts from the National Weather Service show the potential for another 8 to 12 inches of snowfall along Stevens Pass between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.