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I-5 Closure South of Bellingham Continues
Crews work to clear landslide debris, with no timeline for reopening the northbound lanes.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:48am
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Interstate 5 south of Bellingham, Washington remains closed to northbound traffic as the state Department of Transportation works to clear landslide debris from the roadway. The closure has been in effect since March 21, and crews are using expanding grout to break up boulders and stabilize the slope, but a timeline for reopening the northbound lanes is still unknown.
Why it matters
The closure of a major interstate like I-5 can have significant impacts on regional transportation and commerce, as travelers and freight are forced to use alternate routes. The landslide event highlights the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure in the face of extreme weather and natural disasters.
The details
Crews have been working daily since March 21 to clear the landslide debris from I-5. They have begun using expanding grout to break up boulders, but some debris is being left in place to help prevent further rock falls. The Department of Transportation is assessing the slope, scaling it to remove loose rock, and working to stabilize the area before the full scope of the project can be determined.
- The closure of northbound I-5 south of Bellingham has been in effect since March 21, 2026.
- Crews began using expanding grout to break up boulders on Friday, March 25, 2026.
The players
Washington State Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for maintaining and repairing the transportation infrastructure in Washington, including Interstate 5.
RB McKeon
The Northwest Region Communications Manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation.
What they’re saying
“Crews must stabilize the upper slope before moving to the next section. As that work progresses, they are learning more about conditions, and the full scope won't be known until that work is complete. Because of this, we do not have a timeline available, but we continue to provide regular updates on the progress of the work.”
— RB McKeon, Northwest Region Communications Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation
What’s next
The Department of Transportation will continue to provide updates on the progress of the work and the timeline for reopening the northbound lanes of I-5 as the slope stabilization and debris removal efforts continue.
The takeaway
The closure of a major interstate like I-5 due to a landslide event highlights the importance of maintaining critical transportation infrastructure and the challenges faced by state agencies in responding to natural disasters. The lack of a clear timeline for reopening the northbound lanes underscores the complexity of these types of recovery efforts.
