Regional Public Journalism
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

U.S. Highway 12 Through Washington's Cascades Reopened After Mudslide

Washington State Department of Transportation

A section of U.S. Highway 12 in Washington state has reopened after a large mudslide hit Wednesday. But state workers are concerned about more possible slides there.

The slide of rock, mud and some trees covered about 100 feet of the highway. The debris piled up about five feet thick. No one was injured, but travelers and trucks were stuck, or had to detour around on Highway 410.

With more rain expected, state workers are looking for additional unstable hillsides that might need work this week. Slides happen nearly every year on the highway edged with steep slopes -- known as “White Pass.”

The route slices a narrow, winding ribbon through the Cascades. Trucks, hikers and travelers heading east and west use it heavily.

Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. She covers the Mid-Columbia region, from nuclear reactors to Mexican rodeos.