
Washington State Department of Transportation officials cannot provide an estimated time for reopening the highway
COUGAR – Due to earth movement beneath the highway caused by heavy rainfall, both directions of the State Route 503 Spur leading to Cougar at milepost 35.7, near Forest Service Road 81 in Cowlitz County, will remain closed until further notice.
The Washington State Department of Transportation cannot provide an estimated time for reopening the highway, as crews will need daylight to fully assess the damage and determine repair options.
Due to the substantial damage caused to the roadway, a road closure is in place for your safety. Do not drive through “Road Closed” signs.
Travelers are encouraged to use WSDOT’s travel tools before heading out the door. Real-time information is available from the WSDOT statewide travel map and the WSDOT app.
Also read:
- Opinion: Portland’s War on Cars Part 4 – A smarter automobile strategy to end gridlockO’Toole argues fuel wasted in Portland-area congestion has sextupled since 1982, generating 250,000 tons of extra greenhouse gases annually.
- Opinion: Transit ridership trends are dismal but regional plans are obliviousPuget Sound transit passenger-miles fell 31% from 2015 to 2024 despite a half-million-resident population increase.
- Interstate Bridge Replacement Program seeks qualified firms for bridge replacement contractThe CRBR project is backed by $5.7 billion from state funds, federal grants, and future tolling.
- Opinion: Bankrupt – A $3.5 billion Rose Quarter Freeway widening projectJoe Cortright argues ODOT’s Rose Quarter project has grown from a $450M approval to a $3.5B estimate, with a $2B funding gap.
- Opinion: Portland’s War on Cars 3 – Ending the war on automobilesO’Toole argues Portland should add toll lanes, fix safety hazards, and redesign TriMet routes to end its anti-auto policies.






