The opening of Stevens Pass this afternoon could bring heavy traffic through flood-weary east Snohomish County tonight and Friday.
That’s because Snoqualmie and White passes were expected to remain closed overnight.
Stevens is the only viable route to Eastern Washington.
“Our crews have been working very hard and we’re optimistic that we can possibly get I-90 open at some point on Friday,” said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, referring to a stretch from North Bend to Ellensburg. “We’ll have a better idea Friday morning.”
U.S. 2 reopened to traffic around 4 p.m. after a two-day closure caused by lowland flooding and avalanche danger in the mountains.
A stretch of I-5 in southwest Washington also is expected to remain closed at least into Friday morning.
“We are still waiting for the flood water to recede so we can start pumping flood waters out,” said Aurora Jones, a transportation department spokeswoman.
Flooding created havoc on roads and highways in Snohomish County today.
Transportation officials have shut down Highway 9 at Bickford Avenue and Lowell-Larimer Road. The Snohomish River is expected to crest in Snohomish around midnight. There is no estimate on when Highway 9 will reopen, officials said.
More than 70 county roads were closed at different times across the county today.
To keep up on state highway closures, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Information about county road closures is available at www.snoco.org.
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