Northbound I-5 Reopens Near Bellingham After Landslide

Crews cleared 7,000 cubic yards of debris and installed anchors to stabilize the slope after the March 19 slide.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a winding highway cutting through a rugged mountain range shrouded in fog. The highway is partially obscured by the swirling mists, conveying the overwhelming scale of the natural environment and the vulnerability of human infrastructure.A dramatic landscape painting captures the sublime power of nature as a landslide temporarily closed a vital highway in the Pacific Northwest.Bellingham Today

Northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Bellingham, Washington have officially reopened after a landslide closed a portion of the freeway for nearly a month. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that all northbound lanes between mileposts 248 and 249 are back open following an extensive cleanup and slope stabilization effort.

Why it matters

The March 19 landslide caused significant disruption to traffic in the Bellingham area, forcing drivers to use lengthy detours and clogging local roads. The reopening of northbound I-5 will help restore normal traffic flow and commute times in the region.

The details

Crews removed approximately 7,000 cubic yards of rock, trees, and other debris from the landslide site. They also installed steel anchors to secure the hillside and prevent future slides. Geotechnical engineers worked with WSDOT to identify unstable areas and conduct a final inspection before allowing northbound traffic to resume.

  • The landslide occurred on March 19, 2026.
  • Northbound I-5 officially reopened on April 15, 2026.

The players

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Washington's transportation infrastructure, including the Interstate 5 corridor.

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The takeaway

The successful reopening of northbound I-5 near Bellingham demonstrates the state's ability to quickly respond to and recover from major transportation disruptions caused by natural disasters. This incident highlights the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and slope stabilization efforts to ensure the reliability of critical roadways.