Emergency slide repairs begin on SR 165, south of Carbonado

CARBONADO - Long-awaited slide repairs to a section of State Route 165 will start this month.

On Monday, Oct. 10, Washington State Department of Transportation's emergency contractor, Scarscella Bros., will begin repair work at two slide locations between mileposts 10.93 and 11.72, just south of Carbonado.

What to expect

During construction, drivers will see alternating one-way traffic controlled by a signal at each slide location. The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph until the emergency repairs are complete. The speed limit across the Fairfax Bridge remains 20 mph.

The historic 101-year-old Carbon River Bridge, also known as the Fairfax Bridge, is located within the work zone. There are no bridge repairs included in the emergency contract.

Why are repairs needed

Following heavy rain on Jan. 7, the highway experienced settlement, dips, shoulder drop-offs and washouts. WSDOT maintenance crews used barrier and a temporary signal to keep one-lane of the highway open for travelers while WSDOT geologists surveyed the adjacent hillsides and roadway for a permanent repair.

Design and construction costs for the project are $1.2 Million. Weather permitting, the repairs are expected to be complete in late fall.

Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT statewide travel map, the WSDOT app and WSDOT regional Twitter account.