Water from heavy rain over the weekend caused a landslide, undermining a southbound lane of Highway 99 near 112th Street.
Torrential rains over the weekend are being blamed for a landslide that has undermined one lane of Highway 99 south of Salmon Creek.
Clark County road crews on Monday closed one southbound lane at least until next week, giving them enough time to shore up 25 feet of embankment. Officials expect the repair will cost about $150,000.
“We need to re-establish the integrity of the slope,” said Greg Shafer, operations manager for Clark County Public Works.
Shafer said the lane may remain closed until the end of next week. Additional lane restrictions are possible during paving and repairs.
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The highway includes two lanes in each direction, with a center turn lane.
Officials suspect stormwater runoff from heavy rain on Sunday flowed through old guardrail post holes on the west side of the highway, triggering the landslide. A nearby business reported the issue on Monday, prompting the lane closure.
County engineers are working with geotechnical consultants to design a repair.
Rock-filled wire baskets will be placed at the base of the slope, about 25 feet below the road surface, then covered in fill material.
Even though the road is often referred to as a state highway, and served as the region’s major north-south highway before the construction of Interstate 5, Shafer said the state long ago turned it over to the county for ongoing maintenance.
All businesses in the area remain open and the county is working closely with them, an official said
The nearest business is Pioneer Fence, Deck and Supply Co., 11318 N.E. Highway 99.
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