Mount Baker Highway reduced to one lane for a week

ISABELLE DILLS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Mount Baker Highway will be reduced to one lane next week while crews repair a damaged retaining wall at the Razor Hone Creek bridge, just west of the ski area near milepost 51.

The work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 11.

"Flaggers will direct traffic during the day, and a temporary signal will be in place to control traffic at night," said Bronlea Mishler, DOT spokeswoman.

Drivers should expect delays as long as 20 minutes, Mishler said.

The retaining wall has tipped out more than 6 degrees, creating about an 18-inch gap at the top, Mishler said.

Crews will excavate the soil behind the retaining wall to determine the extent of the soil's instability, she said. Depending on the results, crews may decide Monday to completely close the road, Mishler said.

"If the roadway needs to be completely closed, crews will work seven days a week to repair the area and restore traffic," she said.

The Razor Hone Creek bridge is more than 60 years old. The bridge is sound, Mishler said, but changes in runoff or poor drainage may have put more pressure on the wall than it was designed to withstand.

For construction updates and road restrictions, click here.