State Route 706 reopened in both directions Monday morning, two weeks after large mudslides blocked off the “road to Paradise.” The highway closed east of Ashford on Feb. 6 after torrential rains brought down several hundred feet of trees, boulders and thick mud onto the roadway.
The Washington Department of Transportation estimated it would take several weeks for contractors to haul away the slide debris and complete repairs. Work was expected to continue until early March. WSDOT said a stretch of better weather allowed crews to finish several weeks early.
According to transportation officials, crews will finish paving and striping the road as weather allows.
Monday’s reopening clears the final roadblock for Mount Rainier National Park, which had been closed to visitors since the February storm.
“We are thankful for the hard work of our staff and thank our colleagues at WSDOT, the Forest Service, and Pierce County for their efforts to re-establish access to the park,” said Tracy Swartout, Mount Rainier’s Deputy Superintendent.
During the closure, park staff worked with other federal agencies to assess roads and buildings for damage within the Mount Rainier’s boundaries. The National Park Service announced the Nisqually Entrance would reopen Monday, restoring the route to Longmire and Paradise.
Apart from restoring the route to Mount Rainier, the reopening is good news for residents who live inside or near the slide area and rely on SR 706 for their regular commutes. During the closure, WSDOT worked with emergency management, Eatonville School District, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service to run caravans through the closure when possible.
“While this is a very important road for users of Mount Rainier National Park, it’s also a lifeline for business operators and those who live in this community,” said John Wynands, WSDOT Regional Administrator.
The National Park Service said Paradise would remain closed Monday, with plans to reopen Tuesday. Access to the Carbon River area remains blocked.
