US 2 Tumwater Canyon Fully Reopens After Washout

Months-long closure and repairs completed, restoring full access between Skykomish and Leavenworth.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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U.S. Route 2 through Tumwater Canyon in Washington state has fully reopened after being closed for nearly two months due to flooding and debris that washed out one direction of the highway in December 2025. The Washington State Department of Transportation and contractors have completed emergency repairs, allowing both directions of the highway to reopen on February 10, 2026.

Why it matters

U.S. 2 through Tumwater Canyon is a critical transportation route connecting the towns of Skykomish and Leavenworth, and its closure due to the washout had significant impacts on travel and commerce in the region. The full reopening of the highway restores normal traffic flow and access between these communities.

The details

In December 2025, an atmospheric river brought widespread flooding to the Tumwater Canyon area, washing out one direction of U.S. 2. The highway was fully closed for a short period before crews completed emergency repairs, eventually opening one direction with alternating traffic. WSDOT and contractors have been working to fully restore both directions of the highway, which was accomplished on February 10, 2026.

  • In December 2025, one direction of U.S. 2 was washed out during an atmospheric river event.
  • The highway was fully closed for a short period before crews completed emergency repairs.
  • One direction of U.S. 2 opened with alternating traffic in the following weeks.
  • On February 10, 2026, both directions of U.S. 2 through Tumwater Canyon were fully reopened.

The players

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

The state agency responsible for maintaining and repairing the transportation infrastructure in Washington, including U.S. Route 2 through Tumwater Canyon.

Contractors

Private companies that worked with WSDOT to complete the emergency repairs and fully reopen U.S. 2 through Tumwater Canyon.

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The takeaway

The full reopening of U.S. 2 through Tumwater Canyon is a significant milestone, restoring a critical transportation link between Skykomish and Leavenworth that had been disrupted for nearly two months. This demonstrates the resilience of the state's infrastructure and the dedication of WSDOT and its partners to quickly respond to and recover from natural disasters.