Project Overview

In the late 90’s King County and the Forest Service proposed a study on the impact of paving the Middle Fork road to improve safety, reduce maintenance and lower the amount of dust and sediment impacting the road corridor and nearby streams. Conservation groups trying to clean up the Middle Fork valley and reduce illegal activity supported paving the road, considering this an essential part of an increased law enforcement presence. In 2000 the FHWA allocated $1.7M and in April 2001 the Federal Register announced preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The FHWA hosted a series of open house events in 2003 and 2004 to gather feedback from users and the local communities with a target of fall 2005 for a final EIS leading to a decision in winter 2006. However, disagreements about the project scope and funding delayed progress until King County, the USFS and FHWA agreed on a 20-foot wide paved roadway with funding of approximately $20M in 2010, and to produce an environmental assessment (EA) instead of the more rigorous EIS. More open house events were held and the EA was produced in March 2012.

In May 2013 a decision was made to “reconstruct approximately 9.7 miles of the Middle Fork Road, from MP 2.7 just past the couplet to the Middle Fork Campground at MP 12.4. The Preferred Alternative would create a 20-foot paved roadway width with sections of 18-foot width used in constrained locations. Minor horizontal and vertical alignment adjustments would be made as needed to help promote a design that would improve safety and blend with the context of the valley.” The plans also called for replacement of three bridges at MP 6, 8.4 and 10.6. King County followed suit a couple months later with their Determination Of Nonsignificance (DNS). Public notice sign boards and information sheets were placed along the road and after more delays to resurvey exact right-of-ways, detailed plans were posted in late 2013.

At a public meeting about the project in February 2013 a schedule ending in July, 2016 was announced. Contracts were awarded in March, 2014. ACI began paving the road in sections starting from the end. The completion date was pushed into late 2017 as work on slumping areas and at the cliffs by Island Drop and Champion Beach proved to be more troublesome than expected, compounded by a record setting wet season during the 2015/2016 winter.

• 2014: On March 12, 2014, WFLHD awarded a construction contract to Active Construction for $15M. Bridge work was subcontracted to Arriba Construction. Work began in May, 2014. By the end of construction in October, 2014 the last 1.7 miles to the Middle Fork campground and the Middle Fork trailhead were paved. The road was open for a couple months with some surveying and clearing work continuing.
• 2015: On January 5, 2015 a unusually large rain event caused a washout at the newly-installed water crossings at MP 10 and two road slumps, the larger one at the CCC road intersection at MP 9.8. Following the storm, the road was gated at the Mailbox Peak trailhead and only non-motorized access was allowed. Survey and clearing work continued and in April repair work started on the slumps and the washout. In addition, drilling at Island Drop bend began in preparation for blasting away part of the rock wall there. By Memorial Day weekend, 2015, repairs were completed to the point where the normal construction schedule could be adopted with the road being open to the public on weekends. By early August, 2015 an additional 2 miles were paved, excluding a section by the CCC road intersection that will only get a chip seal because it will be easier to repair if/when the road slumps again. In October, 2015 WFLHD announced that the road construction and closures would continue past the scheduled end date of October 30 to prepare the road for winter, then after the major storm on November 17, 2015 the closure was extended again out of concern about the stability of the road cut by Champion Beach. The road finally opened on December 18, 2015 for the winter season.
• 2016: Active construction from April 18 through November 20. By August all paving was completed except for a section by the TANW1 river gage and Champion Beach. Work on the big Champion Beach retaining wall was done in September. Tree trimming, striping and guard rail work continued into December.
• 2017: By mid July, ACI completed work on the chip seal section by the CCC trail intersection, resurfaced the Big River Bridge, the section by Champion Beach, and the upper couplet. The remaining blasting and widening work at the TANW1 gage was completed by S.E.A. Construction by the end of October with Rock Supremacy doing some of the stabilization and mesh draping work. In late summer rip rap was placed by the east end of the Big River Bridge abutment. September 30, 2017 was National Public Lands day and several ribbon cutting ceremonies were held that day, including one for the (almost) completed paving project. Finally in mid-November the last guard rails were placed by the TANW1 gage and the project was declared complete in the December 12 newsletter.
• 2018: Additional signage and mileposts will probably be placed by King County in the spring of 2018.

Additional Information

FHWA project page for Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road.
Construction newsletters (a few are missing)

Timeline

2018/04/12 King County installed a series of no parking signs before and after the Mailbox Peak trailhead. On busy days the parking lot above and the pullouts by the road fill up quickly. Sometimes 50 cars are parked on each side of the road leaving only a single drive-able lane. It will be interesting to see how people react when they can no longer park at their intended trailhead.

2018/01/08 During much of the construction period the new TANW1 river gage was laying on the ground in a temporary locker to avoid damage from blasting work on the cliff across the road. The gage continued to operate the entire time, but this week the gage was restored to it’s previous housing.

2017/12/21 New mileposts were placed along the project area from MP 3 to MP12. Many interested parties lobbied to have MP 0 be at the turn off onto the Middle Fork road and it was a pleasant surprise to see that happened. Previously the few mileposts that survived had a zero point underneath I-90 exit 34 based on the location of an old survey point at an intersection on the Sunset Highway.

2017/12/06 Construction Newsletter #135 – The contractor is scheduled to complete all contract work this week. This includes slope repairs, striping, new permanent signing, and removing temporary construction signs. This will be the last weekly newsletter for this project.

2017/12/01 Construction Newsletter #134 – This week the contractor worked on installing survey monuments, and final project cleanup. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on drainage and slope repairs, signing, and final project cleanup.

2017/11/27 As the project was close to wrapping up a small section of the road bank armoring slid down toward a slough of the Middle Fork river. This took about a month to repair.

2017/11/17 Construction Newsletter #133 – This week the contractor worked on slope and drainage repairs, and final project cleanup. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on drainage and slope repairs, signing, and final project cleanup.

2017/11/17 Construction Newsletter #132 – This week the contractor worked on slope and drainage repairs, and completed guardrail installation. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on drainage and slope repairs, signing, and final project cleanup. Striping will be weather dependent.

2017/11/10 Construction Newsletter #131 – This week the contractor worked on slope and drainage repairs. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on finishing the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair, drainage and slope repairs, guardrail, and signing. Striping will be weather dependent

2017/11/03 Construction Newsletter #130 – This week the contractor completed final paving and worked on the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on finishing the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair, drainage and slope repairs, guardrail, and signing. Striping will be weather dependent.

2017/10/26 Construction Newsletter #129 – This week the contractor completed placing surfacing rock and worked on slope repair. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on finishing the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair, and drainage and slope repairs. Paving is scheduled for Monday. Striping will be weather dependent.

2017/10/20 Construction Newsletter #128 – This week the contractor completed excavation for the roadway widening, draped mesh slope protection, and installed rock dowels. Next week the contractor is scheduled to continue work on finishing the roadway including placing crushed surfacing. Paving and striping the finished roadway will be weather dependent.

2017/10/13 Construction Newsletter #127 – This week the contractor continued excavation for the roadway widening. Next week the contractor is scheduled to continue work on finishing the roadway including placing crushed surfacing. Paving the finished roadway will be weather dependent.

2017/10/09 The “BFR” falls out onto the road as the cliff is being worked bad to the proper road width.

2017/10/05 Construction Newsletter #126 – This week the contractor completed the asphalt overlay on Lake Dorothy Road and Middle Fork Road, completed placing rip rap for the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair, continued excavation on the rock cut, and should complete the draped mesh slope protection. Next week the contractor is scheduled to complete excavation for the roadway widening and place crushed surfacing.

2017/09/30 Middle Fork road Grand Opening on National Public Lands day. Two other projects had ribbon cutting celebrations that day — the Granite Creek trailhead and the completion of the Middle Fork trail reroute.

2017/09/28 Construction Newsletter #125 – This week the contractor completed pavement repair and paved on Lake Dorothy Road, started on the Lake Dorothy Bridge scour repair, and drilled and installed anchors for draped mesh slope protection. Next week the contractor is scheduled to finish paving Lake Dorothy Road and pave Middle Fork Road, depending on weather, continue draped mesh slope protection installation, and complete the Lake Dorothy bridge scour repair.

2017/09/21 Construction Newsletter #124 – This week the contractor worked on pavement repair on Lake Dorothy Road and roadway excavation at the cut slope. Next week the contractor will pave Middle Fork Road and Lake Dorothy Road, depending on weather, resume the draped mesh slope protection installation, and work on the Lake Dorothy bridge scour repair.

2017/09/14 Construction Newsletter #123 – All work outside of the paved roadway area remained shut down this week due to the Industrial Fire Protection Level 4. To try and complete work this year, the Middle Fork Road will be closed from noon Monday September 18 to noon Friday September 22, and noon Monday September 25 to 5:00 PM Thursday September 28 one mile east of Valley Camp. This week the contractor worked on pavement repair on lake Dorothy Road. Next week the contractor will pave Middle Fork Road and Lake Dorothy Road depending on weather. When fire restrictions allow work will begin on placing rip rap at the Lake Dorothy bridge and slope protection installation will resume.

2017/09/07 Construction Newsletter #122 – All work outside of the paved roadway area is shut down due to the Industrial Fire Protection Level 4. This work will remain shut down until the level drops. This week the contractor started on pavement repair on Middle Fork Road. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on pavement repair on Lake Dorothy Road. Work on other items will resume when the fire protection level is reduced.

2017/08/31 Construction Newsletter #121 – The weekday closures will end at noon Friday September 1st. There will be no work on Labor Day. Starting September 5th traffic will be controlled by flaggers when the contractor is working, expect up to 60 minute delays. This week the contractor completed rock blasting and started work on the anchors for the draped mesh rockfall protection. Next week the contractor will install draped rockfall protection and start on pavement repair on Lake Dorothy Road. Chip seal road resurfacing work is tentatively scheduled from the start of Middle Fork Road to just past Twin Falls Middle School.

2017/08/24 Construction Newsletter #120 – This week the contractor continued rock blasting. Next week the contractor is scheduled to finish rock blasting and start installing pinned draped mesh slope protection.

2017/08/17 Construction Newsletter #119 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road is closed from noon Monday to noon Friday through September 1 one mile east of Valley Camp. The road closures are extended one week due to reduced work hours allowed under the fire precaution partial shutdown. This week the contractor started on rock blasting. Next week the contractor is scheduled to finish rock blasting and start installing anchors for the mesh slope protection.

2017/08/10 Construction Newsletter #118 – This week the contractor installed erosion control measures and temporary construction signs, and started clearing and excavating the slope. Next week the contractor is scheduled to continue work on slope excavation and start installing anchors for the mesh slope protection.

2017/08/03 Construction Newsletter #117 – The noon Monday through noon Friday closures on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will resume Monday August 7 and continue through Friday August 25. The road will be closed one mile east of Valley Camp. This week the contractor started surveying and installing temporary construction signs. Next week the contractor is scheduled to work on temporary erosion control, clearing and grubbing, and excavation on the slope cut.

2017/07/27 Construction Newsletter #116 – This project will reconstruct 400 feet of the Middle Fork Road approximately one mile above the end of the couplet. The project will construct an 18 to 20-foot paved roadway with guardrail, striping, and signing. The project will install draped, pinned, rockfall protection mesh on the cut slope needed to widen the roadway. This project will also install riprap under the Lake Dorothy bridge.

2017/07/13 Construction Newsletter #115 – This is the final weekly newsletter for this construction project. This week the contractor completed striping, guidepost installation, final project cleanup, and moved off of the project site. All work on this project was completed this week. Additional construction will be completed on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road Slope Stabilization Project. This project will complete the short section of roadway near the river gauging station that is currently gravel. This project will also place rip rap under the Lake Dorothy bridge, and overlay portions of Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road and Lake Dorothy Road between Twin Falls Middle School and Valley Camp. The contractor will be moving on to the project in late July. Construction will begin in August and continue in to October. There will be a three week closure in August when the road will be closed between noon Monday and noon Friday. The closure will be at Mine Creek, approximately 1 mile above Mailbox Peak. This project website will be updated with information on the Slope Stabilization Project. Newsletters for the Slope Stabilization project will start later this month.

2017/07/07 Construction Newsletter #114 – There was no work performed on the project this week. Finishing striping near the CCC trail, at Bessemer Road, and the Mailbox Peak parking area on the left side of the road is scheduled for Monday July 10. No Parking signs will be placed in the areas to be striped. Do not park in areas signed for No Parking.

2017/06/29 Construction Newsletter #113 – This week the contractor worked on final project cleanup. There is no work planned for next week. Finishing striping near the CCC trail is tentatively scheduled for the week of July 10.

2017/06/22 Construction Newsletter #112 – This week the contractor completed the asphalt surface treatment near the CCC trail, placed striping and pavement markings, and continued with final project cleanup. This completes the majority of the work on this project. There may be some striping and project cleanup work next week.

2017/06/15 Construction Newsletter #111 – This week the contractor completed placing the second half of the Lake Dorothy bridge concrete overlay, graded the gravel roadway section near the CCC trail in preparation for placing an asphalt surface treatment, and worked on final project cleanup. Next week the contractor will complete the asphalt surface treatment near the CCC trail, weather permitting, and continue with final project cleanup.

2017/06/08 Construction Newsletter #110 – This week the contractor worked on preparation for the second half of the Lake Dorothy bridge concrete overlay, completed guardrail and signing, and graded the gravel roadway section near the CCC trail in preparation for placing an asphalt surface treatment. Next week the contractor will place the second half of the Lake Dorothy bridge concrete overlay and complete the asphalt surface treatment near the CCC trail, weather permitting.

2017/06/01 Construction Newsletter #109 – This week the contractor placed the first half of the Lake Dorothy bridge concrete overlay, installed guardrail, and graded the gravel roadway section near the CCC trail in preparation for placing an asphalt surface treatment. Next week the contractor will place the second half of the Lake Dorothy bridge concrete overlay and complete the asphalt surface treatment near the CCC trail, weather permitting.

2017/05/25 Construction Newsletter #108 – This week the contractor started on the Lake Dorothy bridge deck overlay, installed permanent signs, and graded the gravel roadway section near the CCC trail in preparation for placing an asphalt surface treatment. Next week work will continue on these items.

2017/05/18 Construction Newsletter #107 – This week the contractor completed paving near Champion Beach and started installing kiosks at the recreation site parking areas. Next week the contractor will start on the Lake Dorothy bridge deck overlay. The fist half of the bridge overlay is scheduled for Friday May 26.

2017/05/11 Construction Newsletter #106 – This week the contractor installed permanent signing and graded the roadway for paving. Next week the contractor will pave the road near Champion Beach, weather permitting and install guardrail.

2017/05/05 Construction Newsletter #105 – Work on the project resumed this week. The contractor worked on cleaning up debris from this winter’s storms and started installing permanent signing. Work on signing will continue next week.

2016/12/13 King County plowed the road on Monday and Tuesday as far as the Middle Fork trailhead after 6″ of snow accumulated from early December snow storms. Driving past the Middle Fork trailhead is not recommended in mid December without vehicles equipped for slushy and/or icy conditions.

2016/12/01 Construction Newsletter #104 – Work on the project is shut down for the winter. The contractor may return to the project for a week in December and January to install guardrail, depending on weather. Two sections of the roadway, near Champion Beach and the CCC trail, are rock surfaced and may be rough in places. This was the last weekly newsletter for 2016 until construction resumes in the spring of 2017.

2016/11/23 Construction Newsletter #103 – All construction is complete for the season except guardrail installation near Champion Beach. The rail is currently being fabricated. Retaining wall guardrail installation is tentatively scheduled for late November or early December. The remaining guardrail may be completed in January depending on weather. Retaining wall guardrail installation is tentatively scheduled for next week

2016/11/17 Construction Newsletter #102 – All construction is complete for the season except guardrail installation near Champion Beach. The rail is currently being fabricated. Retaining wall guardrail installation is tentatively scheduled for late November or early December. The remaining guardrail may be completed in January depending on weather. No work is scheduled for next week.

2016/11/10 Construction Newsletter #101 – All construction is complete for the season except guardrail installation near Champion Beach. The rail is currently being fabricated. Retaining wall guardrail Installation is tentatively scheduled for late November or early December. The remaining guardrail may be completed in January depending on weather. This week the contractor completed the rock dowels. No work is scheduled for next week.

2016/11/03 Construction Newsletter #100 – This week the contractor worked on trimming trees, project cleanup, installing rock dowels in the rock cuts, and installing barrier rail. Work next week work includes completing rock dowels, grouting barrier rail posts, and preparing the project for winter shutdown.

2016/10/27 Construction Newsletter #99 – This week the contractor worked on trimming trees, project cleanup, installing rock dowels in the rock cuts, and installing barrier rail. Work next week work includes grouting rock dowels, installing barrier rail, and preparing the project for winter shutdown.

2016/10/20 Construction Newsletter #98 – This week the contractor worked on trimming trees, project cleanup, and began installing rock dowels in the rock cuts. Next week work will continue on these items.

2016/10/13 Construction Newsletter #97 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway and concrete guardrail curb near Champion Beach. Next week they will work on trimming trees and begin installing rock dowels in the rock cuts.

2016/10/06 Construction Newsletter #96 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, and concrete guardrail curb near Champion Beach. Next week they will continue working on the same items.

2016/09/29 Construction Newsletter #95 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, a concrete guardrail footing and curb, guardrail, and striping. Next week they will continue working on finishing the roadway and the concrete guardrail curb.

2016/09/22 Construction Newsletter #94 – The contractor worked on finishing the roadway, a concrete guardrail footing, guardrail, and erosion control seeding. Next week they will work on finishing the roadway and guardrail. See post with movie of recently paved sections from Valley Camp to Big Blowout Creek.

2016/09/15 Construction Newsletter #93 – The contractor worked on finishing the roadway, a concrete guardrail footing, parking lot striping and curbs, and paving. Next week they will work on finishing the roadway and guardrail.

2016/09/08 Construction Newsletter #92 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, subgrade stabilization, and a concrete guardrail footing. Paving will resume next week, weather permitting.

2016/09/01 Construction Newsletter #91 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, a concrete guardrail footing, and paving. Next week the contractor will work on finishing the roadway surfacing and concrete guardrail footings. Paving is scheduled to resume September 12. See post for more photos of August paving.

2016/08/25 Construction Newsletter #90 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, a concrete guardrail footing, and paving. Next week work will continue on these items.

2016/08/18 Construction Newsletter #89 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, and a concrete guardrail footing. Next week work will continue on these items plus paving.

2016/08/11 Construction Newsletter #88 – This week the contractor worked on finishing the roadway, and completing the retaining wall. Next week work will focus on preparing for paving.

2016/08/04 Construction Newsletter #87 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway, and constructing a retaining wall. Next week work will continue on these items plus preparing for paving.

2016/07/28 Construction Newsletter #86 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway, and constructing a retaining wall. Next week work will continue on the same items.

2016/07/21 Construction Newsletter #85 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will be closed the weekend of July 23rd and 24th at Mailbox Peak trailhead. This closure is required to construct a retaining wall above the river. The road between Valley Camp and Mailbox Peak will be open from noon Friday July 22nd through noon Monday July 25th. This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway, and constructing a retaining wall.

2016/07/14 Construction Newsletter #84 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will be closed the weekend of July 23rd and 24th at Mailbox Peak trailhead. This closure is required to construct a retaining wall above the river. The road between Valley Camp and Mailbox Peak will be open from noon Friday July 22nd through noon Monday July 25th. This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway, placing surfacing rock, and curb and gutter. Next week they will be constructing a retaining wall.

2016/07/07 Construction Newsletter #83 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will be closed the weekend of July 23rd and 24th at Mailbox Peak trailhead. This closure is required to construct a retaining wall above the river. The road between Valley Camp and Mailbox Peak will be open from noon Friday July 22nd through noon Monday July 25th. This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway and side slopes, and placing surfacing rock.

2016/06/29 Construction Newsletter #82 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, finishing the roadway and side slopes, placing surfacing rock, installing drainage pipes, and seeding.

2016/06/23 Construction Newsletter #81 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, finishing the roadway and side slopes, and began placing surfacing rock on the roadway.

2016/06/16 Construction Newsletter #80 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, rock blasting, and finishing roadway side slopes.

2016/06/09 Construction Newsletter #79 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, and finishing roadway side slopes. Work will continue next week on these items plus rock blasting.

2016/06/02 Construction Newsletter #78 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, and finishing roadway side slopes.

2016/05/25 Construction Newsletter #77 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, and finishing roadway side slopes.

2016/05/19 Construction Newsletter #76 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, and finishing roadway side slopes.

2016/05/12 Construction Newsletter #75 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair, reinforced roadway fills, and rock blasting. The road will be open between 6:00 PM Thursday May 26th and 6:00 AM Tuesday May 31st for Memorial Day weekend.

2016/05/06 Construction Newsletter #74 – This week the contractor worked on storm damage repair and reinforced roadway fills. Work will continue next week on these items plus rock blasting.

2016/04/28 Construction Newsletter #73 – This week the contractor continued work on storm damage repair, downed timber cleanup, and maintaining the existing roadway. Work will also resume for the season on roadway improvements.

2016/04/21 Construction Newsletter #72 – This week the contractor started work on storm damage repair, downed timber cleanup, and maintaining the existing roadway.

2016/04/15 Construction Newsletter #71 – Starting Monday April 18 the noon Monday through noon Friday closures will resume. The road will be open from noon Fridays through noon Mondays. These closures will continue through September 30, 2016. The contractor will start with roadway repairs and cleaning up downed tress from this winter’s storms.

2016/03/01 Potholes on the Middle Fork road were as bad as ever, hopefully for the last time as paving is expected to be nearly completed this year.

2016/02/24 After a geotechnical inspection on Tuesday, February 23 indicated that further sliding was not likely the road was opened again on February 24.

2016/02/18 The WFLHD announced that the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road would be closed just past Mailbox Peak. The closure was “due to recent landslides adjacent to the roadway.” The landslide activity mentioned was a road shoulder slump just before the CCC trail intersection.

2015/12/18 As of this day the Middle Fork road was opened 7 days a week for the winter season until construction started again in April, 2016

2015/12/17 Construction Newsletter #70 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road is scheduled to reopen at noon Friday December 18. The road will be open 7 days a week. The contractor will have a small crew on site next week finishing cleanup. No delays are anticipated. This will be the last weekly newsletter until construction resumes in the spring.

First low elevation snow storm blankets the road near the Middle Fork trailhead

2015/12/10 Construction Newsletter #69 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will remain closed above Mailbox Peak. This is due to downed trees from this week’s wind storms. The contractor is working to clear the roadway and finish cleanup from the recent series of storms. It is anticipated that the road will reopen next week. The road opening will be announced in an updated newsletter.

2015/12/09 After the heavy rain event of December 8-9 a geotechnical engineer approved opening the roadway through the slide area. There is barrier in place to catch any debris that may come down. After the downed trees were cleared and final cleanup work completed the road was opened for the winter season on Friday, December 18 at noon.

2015/12/04 Construction Newsletter #68 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will remain closed above Mailbox Peak. This is due to damage as a result of the heavy rains from the November 17th storm event. A re-evaluation of conditions will take place next week. The current closure will remain until further notice.

The season’s first snow on the road approaching Island Drop

2015/11/25 Construction Newsletter #67 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will remain closed above Mailbox Peak for the Thanksgiving Holiday through the following week. This is due to damage as a result of the heavy rains from the November 17th storm event. A re-evaluation of conditions will take place next week. The current closure will extend to December 4th at noon.

Russian Butte from CCC trail junction

2015/11/20 The gate location was moved to just beyond the Mailbox Peak trailhead.

2015/11/20 Construction Newsletter #66 – The weather event on November 17, 2015 caused impacts to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road. The storm caused flooding that over topped the roadway in places as well as brought down trees throughout the project area. Cleanup operations are under way by the contractor to clear the roadway of down trees and debris. Due to current conditions on the project the roadway will remain closed above Mailbox Peak over the weekend into start of next week.

2015/11/17 Following the November 17, 2015 storm the closure was first extended until December 4, including total closure on Thanksgiving weekend, and was closed indefinitely pending inspection of an unstable slope above the Champion Beach road cut. The concern about the road cut is heightened by another cycle of heavy rain expected Dec 8 and 9. A geotechnical engineer was expected to review the site and WFLHD evaluated options during the week of December 7.

2015/11/13 Construction Newsletter #65 – With the recent heavy rains some sections may not be suitable for low clearance, two wheel drive vehicles. A portion of the road is washed out beyond the project limits on the other side of the Taylor River bridge just past Dingford Creek Road. Next week the contractor will be working on finishing the project for the season.

Rock excavation by Champion Beach

2015/11/06 Construction Newsletter #64 – The noon Monday to noon Friday road closures will extend to November 20, 2015. A portion of the road is washed out beyond the project limits on the other side of the Taylor River bridge just past Dingford Creek Road. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, and installing erosion control devices.

Constructing a rock supported slope

2015/10/29 Construction Newsletter #63 – The noon Monday to noon Friday road closures will extend to November 20, 2015. The road will be open from noon Fridays through noon Mondays. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, installing erosion control devices, and rock blasting.

Cut slope repair

2015/10/23 Construction Newsletter #62 – The noon Monday to noon Friday road closures will extend to November 20, 2015. The road will be open from noon Fridays through noon Mondays. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, and rock blasting.

Stream flowing through a new culvert

2015/10/15 Construction Newsletter #61 – Noon Monday to noon Friday road closures continue this week. The road will be open from noon Friday through noon Monday. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, installing culverts, and rock blasting.

Cut slope repair

2015/10/08 Construction Newsletter #60 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will be closed the weekend of October 10th and 11th at Mailbox Peak trailhead. This closure is required to remove and replace an existing bridge on the project. The road between Valley Camp and Mailbox Peak will be open from noon Friday October 9th through noon Monday October 12th. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, and installing culverts.

Setting precast concrete box culvert sections

2015/10/01 Construction Newsletter #59 – The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road will be closed the weekend of October 10th and 11th at Mailbox Peak trailhead. This closure is required to remove and replace an existing bridge on the project [at MP 5.6, just beyond the concrete bridge]. The road between Valley Camp and Mailbox Peak will be open from noon Friday October 9th through noon Monday October 12th. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, installing culverts, and removing an existing bridge.

Backfilling the final stage of the large culvert

2015/09/24 Construction Newsletter #58 – This week the contractor completed the first stage of the installation and backfill of a 22 foot wide by 13 foot high culvert. The road has been rerouted across this new culvert. The remainder of the culvert will be assembled this week and backfill complete early next week. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, placing surfacing rock, installing culverts, and rock blasting.

Backfilling the large culvert

2015/09/18 Construction Newsletter #57 – This week the contractor completed the excavation for the first stage of the installation of a 22 foot wide by 13 foot high culvert and began assembly. The contractor will be working this Sat- urday and 24 hours a day Mondays through Fridays for the next several weeks on this culvert. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, culvert installation, and rock blasting.

Culvert assembly

2015/09/11 Construction Newsletter #56 – This week the contractor started the preparatory work for the installation of a 22 foot wide by 13 foot high culvert. The contractor will be working 24 hours a day Mondays through Fridays for the next several weeks on this culvert. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing roadway side slopes, culvert installation, and rock blasting.

Culvert installation

2015/09/03 Construction Newsletter #55 – The roadway will be open from 6:00 PM Thursday September 3rd though 6:00 AM Tuesday September 7th for Labor Day weekend. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, erosion control and seeding, and installing drainage pipes.

Constructing reinforced roadway

2015/08/28 Construction Newsletter #54 – The roadway will be open from 6:00 PM Thursday September 3rd though 6:00 AM Tuesday September 7th for Labor Day weekend. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, and installing drainage pipes..

Placing rock to stabilize a slope that slid during last winter’s heavy rain

2015/08/21 Construction Newsletter #53 – This week the contractor constructed reinforced roadway embankment and drainage pipes in the upper portion of the project and roadway fills down to the Mailbox Peak trailhead. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, installing drainage pipes., and placing stone facing on the monument sign bases.

Excavating for a culvert pipe near Bessemer Road

2015/08/14 Construction Newsletter #52 – This week the contractor constructed reinforced roadway embankment and drainage pipes in the upper portion of the project and roadway fills in the lower portion. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, installing drainage pipes., and placing stone facing on the monument sign bases.

Middle Fork Valley entrance monument sign base

2015/08/06 Construction Newsletter #51 – This week the contractor completed paving between the two new bridges. The area that was not paved will be covered with a chip seal (oil and rock surface) later in the project. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, repairing damaged roadway areas, and installing drainage pipes.

Paving was completed this week between the two new bridges

2015/07/30 Construction Newsletter #50 – This week the contractor will complete the first layer of paving between the two new bridges. The area that was not paved will be covered with a chip seal (oil and rock surface) later in the project. Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, repairing damaged roadway areas, installing drainage pipes, and paving.

Paving near the beaver pond

2015/07/23 Construction Newsletter #49 – Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, excavating for the widened roadway, repairing damaged roadway areas, and installing drainage pipes. Paving is scheduled to begin between the two new concrete bridges on Tuesday.

Placing fill to widen the roadway

2015/07/16 Construction Newsletter #48 – Next week the contractor will continue constructing roadway fills, finishing crushed rock surfacing in preparation for paving, and installing drainage pipes.

Finishing the roadway near the CCC trail

2015/07/09 Construction Newsletter #47 – The Washington State Industrial Fire Precaution Level was raised to 4 in the project area. This resulted in a total shutdown of construction work on the project. Work will be suspended until the precaution level is lowered. The road will continue to be open to the public from noon Fridays through noon Mondays.
The central cascades including the Middle Fork Valley is zone 659N, the only one to be raised to level 4 based on DNR’s IFPL map. The IFPL levels are

• Level I: Closed Fire Season – Fire equipment and fire watch service is required.
• Level II: Partial Hoot Owl – Limits certain activities to between the hours of 8pm and 1pm.
• Level III: Partial Shutdown – Prohibits some activities altogether and limits other activities between the hours of 8pm and 1pm.
• Level IV: General Shutdown – All operations prohibited.

Zone 659 N at Level 4 includes the Middle Fork valley>

Finished rock surfacing ready for paving

2015/07/02 Construction Newsletter #46 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, placing and finishing crushed rock, and roadway drainage features. Paving is scheduled to begin July 7th.

Placing topsoil on the finished roadway slope

2015/06/25 Construction Newsletter #45 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, placing and finishing crushed rock, and roadway drainage features. Paving is scheduled to begin June 30th.

Excavating new roadway cut slopes and ditches

2015/06/18 Construction Newsletter #44 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, placing and finishing crushed rock, and roadway drainage features. Paving is scheduled to resume late June through early July.

Finishing the roadway crossing the slide area near the CCC trail

2015/06/11 Construction Newsletter #43 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, placing crushed rock, and roadway drainage features.

Reinforced roadway crossing the slide area near the CCC trail

2015/06/05 Construction Newsletter #42 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, placing crushed rock, and concrete work on the two new bridges.

Strengthening and repairing the damaged low water crossings

2015/05/29 Construction Newsletter #41 – Next week the contractor will continue working on roadway repairs, embankment construction, concrete work on the two new bridges and installing roadway drainage.

Pouring concrete bridge rail curbs on the new Big Blowout Creek bridge

2015/05/21 Since May 21 the normal construction schedule was in place. Motorized access was allowed Friday noon to Monday noon. On Fridays and Mondays there were waits of up to an hour for a pilot car to escort you through the construction zone.
2015/05/20 Construction Newsletter #40 – Next week the contractor will continue on roadway repairs and embankment construction.

Constructing the roadway over soft soils

2015/05/15 Construction Newsletter #39 – Next week the contractor will continue on road repairs and work on cleaning up the washed out area to make it passable for public traffic. Due to recent rains there may be areas that low clearance sedans may have difficulty traversing. Next week’s newsletter will have an update on road conditions.

Constructing a reinforced roadway over the slide near the CCC trail

2015/05/08 Construction Newsletter #38 – The contractor has repaired two of the three slide areas within the roadway and is working on the third. It is anticipated that repair of the washed out roadway section will begin this week or next.

Constructing a reinforced roadway over the slide near the CCC trail

2015/05/06 The closure point was moved back from the Mailbox parking lot to Valley camp and no access of any kind was allowed on weekdays, but pedestrian and bicycle access was allowed on weekends.
2015/05/01 Construction Newsletter #37 – Summer weekday total closures will begin on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 with the closure point being moved back to Valley Camp. Until all road damage from the January storm is repaired, only pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be allowed on weekends. Hopefully this will change in a few weeks and motorized access to the upper valley will be allowed on weekends. The newsletter describes current work as “The contractor has repaired two of the three slide areas within the roadway and has started work on the third. Design of the washed out roadway repair is complete and the contractor will start work on this as soon as the third slide area is stabilized for heavy construction equipment to cross.”

Repair of slump at CCC road intersection

2015/01/29 Construction Newsletter #36 – Road closed at Mailbox trail

The roadway closure has been moved beyond the Mailbox Peak trailhead

2015/01/07 Construction Newsletter #35 – Flood damage, road closed at Valley Camp

Flood debris blocking roadway

2015/01/05 The road was closed to vehicles at the Mailbox Peak trailhead after the January 5 storm. The closure extended until Memorial Day, 2015. Non-motorized access was allowed.
2014/11/21 Construction Newsletter #34 – Surveying and erosion control

Constructing a rock stabilized slope

2014/11/13 Construction Newsletter #33 – Rock surfacing, mudslide repair

Placing crushed rock on the completed roadway embankment near the beaver ponds

2014/11/07 Construction Newsletter #32 – Winter shutdown preparation

Completed low water crossing

2014/10/31 Construction Newsletter #31 – Weekday closures end

Installing low water crossing planks. These armor the roadway so it will not wash out in extreme flood events

2014/10/23 Construction Newsletter #30 – open Big Blowout bridge, winter prep, roadway fill

Stream flowing through a completed box culvert

2014/10/16 Construction Newsletter #29 – open Big Blowout bridge, low water crossings

588+50 Bridge open to traffic

2014/10/09 Construction Newsletter #28 – Last 2 miles paved

Paving along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River

2014/10/02 Construction Newsletter #27 – Middle Fork trailhead paving

Middle Fork Trailhead parking lot paving

2014 Fall, NCCC Wild Cascades article – “The [new] Middle Fork road is narrow, and seems to fit the valley well. Trees still arch together overhead in many places. Culverts that block fish migration have been replaced. The awful dust that has plagued areas along the road will be a thing of the past. … Of course, the challenge ahead will be how to deal with the flood of visitors who will follow.”
2014/09/26 Construction Newsletter #26 – Bridge work, blasting, road paving

Installing a precast concrete box culvert

2014/09/19 Construction Newsletter #25 – Bridge work, blasting, road paving

Paving between the Middle Fork Trailhead parking lot and Middle Fork Campground

2014/09/12 Construction Newsletter #24 – Roadway fill, blasting, bridge work

Placing concrete in the end wall on the 588+50 bridge

2014/09/05 Construction Newsletter #23 – Big culverts, replacing unstable road areas

Excavating for a large culvert pipe

2014/08/28 Construction Newsletter #22 – Blasting at CCC trailhead

Checking the finished rock blasting at the CCC trail connection

2014/08/22 Construction Newsletter #21 – Roadway fill, Middle Fork trailhead work

lacing rip rap so the roadway can be widened over soft soils

2014/08/15 Construction Newsletter #20 – Roadway fill, culverts, blasting

Constructing an aquatic organism passage culvert pipe

2014/08/07 Construction Newsletter #19 – Roadway fill, culverts, bridge work

Building concrete formwork at the 588+50 bridge and excavation in the background

2014/08/01 Construction Newsletter #18 – Culverts installed

Culvert installation

2014/07/24 Construction Newsletter #17 – 7-day-a-week closure begins

Setting girders at the 588+50 bridge

2014/07/18 Construction Newsletter #16 – MP 10.6 bridge stream diverted

Night shift preparing to divert the stream and remove the existing bridge at 588+50

2014/07/11 Construction Newsletter #15 – Bridge work continues

Existing 588+50 bridge

2014/07/03 Construction Newsletter #14 – Clearing for blasting, piles completed

Completing pile driving at the 471+85 bridge over Big Blowout Creek

2014/06/27 Construction Newsletter #13 – Clearing for blasting, piles almost complete

Finishing roadway slopes

2014/06/20 Construction Newsletter #12 – Clearing for blasting, road fill, drainage pipe

Pile driving at the 588+50 bridge

2014/06/13 Construction Newsletter #11 – Roadway fill continues, piles at 2 bridges

Surveying pile locations at the 588+50 bridge

2014/06/06 Construction Newsletter #10 – Roadway fill by campground, clearing by MP 10.6 bridge

Excavation to widen the road near the 588+50 bridge

2014/05/30 Construction Newsletter #9 – “This week, the temporary steel bridge was relocated and a temporary detour opened at the timber bridge site to make room for the construction of a replacement bridge. Next week, the Contractor will be installing erosion control devices and roadway fill construction will continue on the upper part of the project near Middle Fork Campground.”

2014/05/25 Steel bridge at Big Blowout Creek placed as a parallel temporary bridge during construction of the new one
2014/05/21 Construction Newsletter #8 – Longer Memorial Day weekend openings, erosion control, detour around Big Blowout Creek bridge at MP 8.5

Placing roadway fill near Middle Fork trailhead

2014/05/16 Construction Newsletter #7 – Erosion control, Bridge pile driving, detour around Big Blowout Creek bridge at MP 8.5

Pile driving at Big Blowout Creek

2014/05/09 Construction Newsletter #6 – Erosion control, Bridge pile driving, brushing banks

Pile driving at the 588+50 Bridge

2014/05/05 Upper couplet closed, first day of weekday closures
2014/05/02 Construction Newsletter #5 – Weekday closures begin

Excavation at the 588+50 Bridge begins

2014/04/25 Construction newsletter #4 – Surveying, staking and bridge piling prep

2014/04/23 Paving project open house
2014/04/17 Construction newsletter #3 – Open house scheduled
2014/04/15 Construction offices set up at Valley Camp, which provides necessary power and water supplies
2014/04/14 Survey crews set monitoring points along the upper couplet to track ground movement that may occur during construction
2014/04/11 Construction newsletter #2 – survey work, open house coming
2014/04/03 WTA blog post about road closures
2014/03/25 Construction newsletter #1 – anticipated closure schedule
2014/03/20 Seattle Bike Blog on new possibilities for bike camping
2014/02/01 Contract bidding deadline. As one hopeful contractor put it — “everyone and their brother is going to be bidding on this.” The contract bid process was delayed by difficulties obtaining shoreline management permits for work near any streams or the Middle Fork river.
2013/08/26 FHWA Solicitation Number: DTFH70-13-B-00015 on FedBizOps.gov
2013/04/19 ‘It’s going to be busy’: Big changes coming to North Bend’s Middle Fork wilderness gateway
2013/02/26 Paving project open house
2013/01/22 Conservation groups support for Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road Enhancements for Public Access
2012/05/31 The FONSI says “Pave the Road!”
2012/07/31 King County OKs paving
2012/06/03 Fishing website forum expresses concerns about the impact of paving the road
2012/06/02 Snoqualmie’s Middle Fork, loved by Seattle hikers, to be improved
2012/05/31 The FONSI says “Pave the Road!”
2012/04/07 King County posts a public notice board at the head of the Middle Fork road. Front and Back.
2011/06/27 Paving the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road?
2009/01/26 Stakeholders are sent a postcard about the progress: “During the last few years, the principal funding program for the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road project has had to readjust and reprioritize the list of programmed projects. These adjustments were mainly due to construction costs as there has been a significant cost increase for projects similar to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road to rise to such and extent that the project as originally proposed is no longer financially feasible. Currently, King county and the Forest Service are reexamining the project proposal to ensure that a project can be brought forth that meets the needs of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road while also being financially feasible. Once a revised project proposal is approved, development of the project will resume.”

2004 Spring, NCCC Wild Cascades article – “A public meeting was recently held by FHWA in North Bend to outline the project’s status. The alternatives on offer are not encouraging. There has long been some feeling among some segments of the conservation and recreation communities that there might, just possibly, be some advantages to paving the lower Middle Fork road. The hope was that paving the road would allow greater law enforcement presence, and help change the character of this valley which was for many years a ‘no man’s land,’ by making it more accessible, as well as reducing dust and runoff.”
2001 Summer, Goldmyer News – “The Middle Fork Road, previously designated as Forest Service Road #56, was recently designated by administration action to become Forest Highway 29.The Middle Fork Project was submitted in a call for projects and was ranked as a one of the top candidate projects in Washington under the Public Lands Highway Program, which is being financed with roughly 12 million dollars through the Federal Highway Trust Fund. The proposed project will improve the lower 12.1 miles of gravel road up to the Middle Fork Trailhead parking area near the Taylor River Bridge. … In a nutshell this is a proposal to pave that stretch of road”

Major Documents

March, 2012: Middle Fork Road Project Environmental Assessment


May, 2012: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)


October, 2013: Middle Fork River Road Plans