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WSDOT Completes Cliffside Scaling, No Timeline Yet for I-5 Reopening
Crews shift focus to stabilizing slope after nearly 2 weeks of northbound closure south of Bellingham
Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:20pm
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The Washington State Department of Transportation has finished scaling back the cliffside along northbound Interstate 5 following a landslide on March 19, but has not yet announced a target date for when the highway will reopen. Crews are now drilling steel dowels to stabilize the top of the slope, with northbound traffic being diverted to Samish Way at exit 246.
Why it matters
The closure of northbound I-5 has caused significant traffic congestion in the Bellingham area, with WSDOT advising freight traffic to use alternate routes like State Route 20, 9 and the 542 detour since Samish Way is not designed for heavy vehicles. The reopening of I-5 is crucial for restoring normal traffic flow and commerce in the region.
The details
After nearly two weeks of work to scale back the cliffside along northbound I-5 following the March 19 landslide, WSDOT crews have shifted their focus to stabilizing the top of the slope. They are now drilling 15-25 foot steel dowels into the slope to secure it. Northbound I-5 traffic is being diverted to Samish Way at exit 246, but WSDOT is advising freight traffic to use alternate routes as Samish Way is not equipped to handle heavy loads.
- The landslide occurred on March 19, 2026.
- Northbound I-5 has been closed for nearly 2 weeks since the landslide.
The players
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
The state agency responsible for maintaining and operating the transportation infrastructure in Washington, including Interstate 5.
The takeaway
The closure of a crucial section of northbound Interstate 5 due to a landslide has caused significant disruptions to traffic and commerce in the Bellingham area, underscoring the importance of maintaining the stability of the state's critical transportation infrastructure.
