A rock slope stabilization project will improve safety for motorists on a roughly ten-mile stretch of SR17

The work zone is between Soap Lake and Coulee City.

Rocks falling off a series of eight slopes along the highway between milepost 76 and 85 have been damaging the road surface and endangering motorists.  A WSDOT contractor will remove rock and loose material from the slopes and install slope protection to prevent future rockfalls.  The project should be complete in October.

Work Schedule and Planned Road Closures

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, a contractor with the Washington State Department of Transportation will start work on the project.

Tuesday through Friday next week, the contractor will close the road at 8:15 a.m. The road will be reopen for 15 minutes every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The extended closures are necessary for the contractor to complete scaling work and clear the roadway.

SR17 Soap Lake to Lake Lenore work zone Image:WSDOT
SR17 Soap Lake to Lake Lenore work zone Image:WSDOT
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The schedule will continue Mondays through Fridays through most of the project. The contractor will require up to 4 additional full-day closures to perform some of the work but those dates have not been determined.

Look for updates on this project, closure dates and work schedule on the project webpage and the WSDOT real time travel map.  WSDOT will also share information through their account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will provide Real-time travel information through from the WSDOT mobile app , the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT's email updates .

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Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

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