Crews began the clearing process on State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, on March 31. This year it took crews nearly 6 weeks to clear the highway as they cleared snow as deep as 35 feet over the roadway. On average, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for crews to clear the highway.
“We all live up here and know how great it will be for local businesses to have the highway open for the festival,” said Don Becker, WSDOT Maintenance Supervisor.
The mid-day reopening allowed the crew time to sweep the entire 37-mile winter closure zone for sand, rocks and debris, clear any snow from below avalanche chutes, and apply sand or deicer as needed.
North Cascades Highway open for the summer
Art Shotwell
1 minute read