SEIKU — At 9 a.m. Friday, travelers will regain access to almost six miles of state Highway 112 that have been closed for five months.
Contractor crews for the state Department of Transportation will reopen a portion of the highway to two-way travel between mileposts 39 and 33.4.
The shortened closure points will be between mileposts 31 and 33.4.
Portions of the highway will reopen with a temporary gravel surface.
Eight miles of the highway were closed on Dec. 21 after heavy rain, snow and seasonal tides caused six landslides. Some portions of the roadway dropped nearly 13 feet.
“Reducing the closure from eight miles to two is a big accomplishment and shows the determination of our crews,” Project Engineer Dan McKernan said in a press release.
Scarsella Bros, Inc. will focus efforts on reopening the rest of the roadway around Jim Creek West, near milepost 32. Three landslides have been corrected and three more remain. Crews plan to work six days a week.
Travelers will continue to follow a signed detour using U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 113.
The repair work is one month ahead of schedule. Crews expect to fully reopen by late June, WSDOT said.
