A 6 mile section of State Route 7, just north of Alder, was closed after heavy rainfall triggered rockslides in the area.
The stretch the roadway will be closed into the new year.
"Until further notice, the highway will remain closed at the SR 7 and Alder Cutoff Road intersection at milepost 21.7, and at the SR 7 and SR 161 intersection near milepost 27.1," states a Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) press release.
Geotechnical engineers and maintenance crews assessed the situation Monday, Dec. 23, identifying the work that needs to be done to reopen the road.
A detour is set up via Alder Cutoff Road and SR 161.
"Pierce County weight restrictions are in place on the Alder Cutoff Road East," the press release states. "Overweight loads can use SR 7 to US 12, Interstate 5 to SR 507 to SR 702 and back to SR 7."
WSDOT crews are actively removing debris and have erected a temporary barrier on the shoulder of the roadway.
There will be a temporary single lane with alternating traffic one the roadway reopens.
The geotechnical engineers have recommended installing more wire netting along debris-strewn sections of the hillside as a more long-term solution. Cost estimates are still unknown.
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