Emergency repairs are kicking into high gear on a battered stretch of US 12 in Naches, where aggressive waters from the Naches River have carved away more than just a piece of the road. Apollo, Inc. has strapped on its gear to tackle the reconstruction as the chosen contractor by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Reporting by WSDOT lays out the plan: a river-blocking buttress, an embankment rebuild, backfilling with gravel, paving, striping, and guardrail installation are on the menu for the hardworking crews.
With the clock ticking, Apollo Inc. has its work cut out for it, operating tirelessly seven days a week, hoping to beat the clock and reopen the vital roadway for the early risers of January 2026. Despite the rush, US 12, with its neighboring Yakima Greenway Trail, will be off-limits during this time of transformation, directing those who traverse these parts through alternative pathways on local roads.
The cautionary tale began just last week, when a preemptive closure of US 12 on December 10 preceded a stark demonstration of nature’s might. The following day saw a considerable section of US 12—a full 300 feet of guardrail and highway—relinquish its grip to the torrent brought by Washington state’s record-breaking flood. This has left many pondering the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events and their impact on infrastructure.
Confirmed by WSDOT, the detour signs, hemmed in by orange cones and barrier tape, will shepherd vehicles along local roads, a small inconvenience for the assurance of safety and solid ground beneath tires once the project reaches its completion. The importance of these repairs goes beyond mere asphalt—it's an artery in the body of commerce and daily life, reconnecting communities and commuters post-haste.
