Emergency contracts will be needed to repair sections of state Highway 112 near Clallam Bay and U.S. Highway 101 south of Forks, and the state Department of Transportation has no estimate of when they will be fully reopened, the agency announced this week.
Both sections of highway were severely damaged in the Nov. 15 storms.
“We are working with the local community to provide access into and out of the area, but we have no estimate for when either spot will fully reopen,” said Tina Werner, DOT spokesperson, in an email Monday night.
Neah Bay continued to be cut off from ground access on Tuesday.
State Highway 112 at mileposts 15.8 near Clallam Bay and 32 near Jim Creek as well as Highway 101 south of Forks suffered extensive damage that will require emergency contracts to repair, Werner said.
The slide near Clallam Bay is about 325 feet high and 275 feet wide.
Highway 101 south of Forks was opened to alternating traffic a week ago today, but the hillside must be repaired to fully reopen the highway.
DOT officials are asking for residents to be patient as crews continue to work to clear the roads.
“When we know more, we will provide an update to the community,” Werner said. “Our crews have been rock stars clearing dozens of slides statewide, but some areas will take longer to reopen.”
Up-to-date road conditions and closures can be found at DOT’s Twitter feed, @wsdot_tacoma.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
