State Route 11, also known as Chuckanut Drive, has been undergoing extensive work due to a severe rockslide last month that halted travelers in their tracks. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) confirmed to WSDOT News that the roadblock, which occurred just south of milepost 10, will keep SR 11 closed at least through June while crews work to remove debris, stabilize the slope, and repair the road.
Emergency work is now in full swing, with contractor crews engaged six days per week. They're not only clearing away the rubble, they're making the slope stable, checking over the road for damage, and will be doing any necessary fixes. This task is critical but also fraught with hazards—loose rock from the steep slope needs removal, and WSDOT is collaborating with BNSF Railway to minimize risks to the tracks positioned precariously below.
For anyone needing to reach destinations along or beyond this stretch of SR 11, alternative routes include I-5 exits 250 from Bellingham and 231 from Burlington. Both these detours allow access to local businesses, recreational sites, and, crucially, allow life to keep pacing along, albeit with a slight hitch in its step.
Beginning the clean-up, the process involves breaking down sizeable boulders before using a blanket approach to shield the pavement underneath. According to a statement obtained by WSDOT News, specialized crews are set to employ hand tools and compressed air to safely dislodge remaining rock debris. Ensuring that everything holds, rock bolts will be drilled into the rock face, then reinforced with grouting before the road can reopen to travelers.
While the work on the current slide takes center stage, efforts won't be limited to just this location. An earlier rockfall near milepost 13, from November 2024, is also due for repairs. Once scaling work at milepost 10 is finished, the crews will head north. To facilitate ongoing traffic, flaggers will be managing the traffic flow near milepost 13, ensuring continued access to key locales like trails and Larrabee State Park while this necessary work is conducted.
