Contact:
Matt Phelps Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II Communications Supervisor
Matt.Phelps@snoco.org Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-3126 425-388-6413
Mountain Loop Highway Opens Between Barlow Pass and the Bedal Campground
Snohomish County Public Works and U.S. Forest Service complete highways reopening for summer
EVERETT, Wash., Thursday, June 24, 2021 – Snohomish County Public Works, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, will reopen a 12-mile unpaved section Mountain Loop Highway from Barlow Pass to the Bedal Campground today at approximately 4 p.m. The highway between the Deer Creek and Barlow Pass gates on the westside of the pass opened on May 19. The unpaved section opening today remained closed while county crews completed maintenance from winter weather. Mountain Loop Highway has been seasonally closed since December 2020.
“We are pleased to be opening this section in time for the high record-breaking lowland temperatures this weekend,” Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder said. “Despite dealing with some inclement weather at higher elevations, our crews worked hard to get the middle gravel section of the highway ready for public use. We know there will be many residents happy to escape to this beautiful and very popular outdoor destination this weekend.”
Snohomish County Road Maintenance crews performed significant drainage work in some sections of the road, filled potholes and cleared downed trees during the past month.
Historically, Mountain Loop Highway remains closed from December until the end of spring. During the summer months, more than 100 cars on average use this route each day with up to 200 cars traveling each day on the weekend.
About Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.