Emergency repairs scheduled for Mount Baker Highway to fix flooding issues
Emergency repairs to the Mount Baker Highway are scheduled to begin Saturday, Jan. 17.
The repairs will focus on a culvert that allows Bruce Creek to flow beneath the highway, located about 2 miles east of Maple Falls, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
According to WSDOT, the atmospheric river that hit Whatcom County in December caused floodwater and debris to clog the culvert, forcing it to spill over the Mount Baker Highway and covering it in more floodwater and debris.
The debris had been cleared so the road could be reopened, but floodwater has been going over the highway for over a month.
Strider Construction has been contracted to clear the plugged culvert and make repairs, with work expected to finish around early February, according to the news release.
Flaggers will be set up near the area to alternate traffic, and WSDOT warns that delays should be expected.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 3:15 PM.
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