Old Machias Road closed for emergency embankment repair from Monday, Jan. 14, until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, between 52nd Street Southeast and 117th Drive Southeast. Drivers followed a signed detour route using South Machias and Richey roads.
During the closure, Snohomish County Public Works crews made emergency repairs to a slide area on an embankment below the road. High precipitation levels combined with a failing retaining wall caused the slide.
Crews built an access road down the embankment to reach the slide area, then they brought in equipment and materials to construct a rock buttress to support the roadway. The access road allowed crews to work from the lowest point uphill toward the main roadway.