County closes section of NW 179th Street because of landslide

Clark County closed a 650-foot section of Northwest 179th Street on Jan. 31 because a landslide threatened to undermine the north side of the road. The slide has continued to progress into Whipple Creek, about 1,200 feet west of Northwest 41st Avenue.

Clark County expects to design a comprehensive repair that will require work in Whipple Creek, which means the county will need to obtain permits from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies. Construction in Whipple Creek also will be limited to summer months, when it will have the least effect on fish.

For these reasons, the county does not expect this section of Northwest 179th Street will reopen until fall 2013. Drivers should continue to detour south onto Northwest 169th Street by using Northwest 41st and 51st avenues.

County to upgrade or replace five bridges

Clark County will receive $4.1 million in federal funds to replace one bridge and upgrade four other crossings to withstand earthquakes.

Fifth Plain Creek Bridge, on Northeast 88th Street about a half mile east of Northeast Ward Road, is the last wood support bridge in the county’s inventory of 78 bridges. The bridge will cost an estimated $2.28 million to replace, with federal funds covering 80 percent of the cost.

The county will begin design work in 2013 and complete all five projects by the end of 2015. Permitting, environmental protections and other factors can affect construction schedules. More information >