WSDOT opens bypass at SR 401 slide site

On April 15, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that a one-lane bypass has opened on SR 401 where a slide closed the highway near the Megler-Astoria bridge.

The WSDOT’s contractor, Big River Excavating, finished construction of a temporary single-lane bypass road, restoring travel along SR 401.

The highway was closed February 23, after several days of heavy rainfall deteriorated the roadway to the point of becoming a safety hazard.

“We appreciate the public’s patience in detouring around the closure while our crews worked to build the temporary bypass road,” said WSDOT project engineer Joanna Lowrey. “Keeping this important connection between Naselle and Megler open to travelers and community members was vital, and we’re excited that conditions in the area made it possible to open a single lane of the highway.”

As traffic alternates through a single lane bypass, work will continue to stabilize the adjacent slope and perform long-term repairs to the highway this summer.

With the opening of the temporary bypass road along SR 401, the Dismal Nitch Rest Area, east of the Astoria-Megler Bridge is now open.