Work is underway on repairing two state highways that were heavily damaged in recent mudslides.
An emergency contract for the repairs was awarded to Rains Construction of Malott, which has begun work on road washouts along about four miles of Highway 20 on the Methow Valley side of Loup Loup Pass, and another four miles on Highway 153 between Carlton and Benson Creek.
Travel on both highways — two of the three highways leading in and out of the valley — has been restricted by single lanes or detours since heavy rains on Aug. 21 cut away large chunks of pavement, created deep chasms, and dumped water, mud, rocks and debris along other sections of highway.
Lloyd Logging of Twisp was subcontracted to assist on Highway 20, and was working Tuesday (Sept. 2) to fill deep crevasses carved out when Frazer Creek flooded, said Don Becker of Washington State Department of Transportation.
Work along Highway 153 was focusing on diverting water running across the road into culverts, Becker said.
