UPDATE: 2:45 p.m. Thursday, December 7: Due to the very large amount of large woody debris below the trestle that has accumulated from the river flow, all lanes of eastbound US 2 on the trestle between 50th Ave SE and SR 204 will be closed from 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 to 4:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8 for emergency maintenance. The detour will divert traffic onto 20th St SE, paralleling the trestle before rejoining US 2 at the US 2/SR 204/20th St SE interchange. Expect minor delays along the detour route!

A picture of the Ebey Slough and the US 2 trestle over it. In the slough is a lot of large woody debris. A loader on the trestle is splitting up the debris and workers in boats are pushing it down stream under the trestle.

ORIGINAL POST: As we come out of the flooding here in Western Washington over the last few days, you may have noticed some heavy equipment blocking the right peak-use shoulder lane along the eastbound US 2 trestle just east of Everett. The reason is our crews have been out around-the-clock removing large wooden debris from beneath the trestle in the Ebey Slough, just east of the Snohomish River. The heavy loader on-site breaks up the logs and debris away from the bridge supports/piers holding up the trestle, and our bridge crew in boats steers it safely downstream, preventing a logjam. Since this large woody debris is naturally-occurring, we follow environmental regulations and don’t remove it from the waterway. Instead, we break up small amounts of it at a time and push it along with the current. Spotters stand at the trestle’s edge and communicate potential safety risks with a headset to the machine operators, ensuring the heavy machinery does not make contact with the underside of the trestle. If the logjams aren't dealt with, pressure can build against the piers and potentially damage them. The debris can also cause water to swirl and move in irregular patterns, potentially eroding the dikes on either side of the slough, increasing the risk for even more flooding.

A picture of the Ebey Slough and the US 2 trestle over it. In the slough is a lot of large woody debris. A loader on the trestle is splitting up the debris and workers in boats are pushing it down stream under the trestle.

This is done usually once or twice a year, especially after a stretch of heavy rain. This year we were able to get equipment onsite before a major backup had occurred in the slough thanks to great forecasting from our friends at the National Weather Service - Seattle office. Our crews witnessed more than the usual amount of debris for this year’s event. Thanks to our maintenance crews on the trestle and statewide for all their hard work clearing drains, repairing guardrail, sweeping our roadways and filling potholes during this early December storm. And thanks to all travelers who have been slowing down and moving over for their patience in our work zones!

A picture of the Ebey Slough and the US 2 trestle over it. In the slough is a lot of large woody debris. A loader on the trestle is splitting up the debris and workers in boats are pushing it down stream under the trestle.

A picture of the Ebey Slough and the US 2 trestle over it. In the slough is a lot of large woody debris. A loader on the trestle is splitting up the debris and workers in boats are pushing it down stream under the trestle.

A picture of the cockpit of a loader/excavator.

A picture of the cockpit of a loader/excavator.

A traffic camera picture of the eastbound lanes of the US 2 trestle. There is heavy machinery and a work zone blocking the right peak-use shoulder lane.

A traffic camera video of the eastbound lanes of the US 2 trestle. There is heavy machinery and a work zone blocking the right peak-use shoulder lane.