Highway 20 over North Cascades opens to vehicles

Highway 20 over the North Cascades opened to traffic Sunday.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the June 14 opening following the winter closure ties the latest opening since records were first kept in 1972.

The other June 14 opening was in 1974.

The late opening was because of two emergency repair projects that needed to be completed.

Sunday's opening came nearly three weeks before the estimated July 4 estimated opening set by the Department of Transportation in early May, and five days earlier than the updated timeline released last week.

Skagit County contractors Trimaxx Construction Inc. and Interwest Construction Inc. each worked seven days a week on their repair projects.

Interwest stabilized a slope and removed debris from a rockslide that occurred in March near Diablo Lake (milepost 131). That work was completed May 30.

Since May 13, Trimaxx has worked on repairing flood damage between Canyon Creek Trailhead and Granite Creek (mileposts 142-148).

The Department of Transportation is asking motorists traveling the highway to watch out for wildlife.

The release stated that those working on the emergency repairs have reported many deer and bear sightings - many with young - on or near the roadway.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.