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I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass open in both directions

The eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 90 from North Bend to Ellensburg have reopened as of Thursday at 5:50 p.m.

U.S. Highway 2 was closed from Coles Corner (milepost 85) to Leavenworth (MP 99) due to multiple snow slides. The highway reopened after 3:30 p.m.

At that time, WSDOT crews will assess the westbound lanes and determine when they might open.

Both directions have been closed near Snoqualmie Pass since late Tuesday because of ice and fallen trees.

Quick facts: 

  • Interstate 90 has been closed since Tuesday night. Freezing rain and sleet caused numerous problems on the road.
  • Dozens of trees and snow slides came down on the highway
  • Conditions have been too dangerous for crews to work

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Eastbound I-90 closed near North Bend because of falling rocks and numerous trees down between milepost 43 and 44.

Westbound is closed at milepost 106 near Ellensburg, milepost 84 near Cle Elum and milepost 70 near Easton because of numerous snow slides near milepost 50.

After two dozen ice-coated trees came crashing down onto the snow-covered roadway early Wednesday morning, WSDOT workers and even State Troopers had to leave.

WSDOT says conditions were too unstable and dangerous to even begin clearing and digging it out.

Crews evaluated the conditions Thursday morning and said it would take hours to clear 50 to 75 miles of highway, and safety the workers come first.

“We know that there is snow on the road and we’ve had some slides. We also had some crews out (Wednesday) and heard the trees creaking and cracking so we pulled them back,” said Tom Pearce with WSDOT.

Alternate routes are Highway 2 over Stevens Pass, where chains are required, and Highway 12, where traction tires are required.

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