U.S. Highway 12 Naches washout triggers emergency repairs after Naches River erosion. Construction crews work daily to restore the damaged section near milepost 191.
Washout Damage Details
The Naches River eroded the highway’s underside, washing out about 60 feet of both lanes in Naches, Washington. Affected areas extend up to 200 feet on each side of the river, creating risks of collapse even where the surface looks stable. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed US 12 east of Naches starting December 11, 2025, due to severe erosion from high river flows.
Repair Efforts Underway
Apollo Inc. leads the emergency construction, selected by WSDOT for round-the-clock work seven days a week. Crews use heavy machinery to remove damaged rocks and asphalt, then build a buttress to block the river, rebuild the embankment, backfill with gravel, pave, stripe, and add guardrail. Multiple contractors haul in large boulders from various sources to stabilize the base.
Detour and Traffic Rules
Drivers follow a detour on Bonlow Drive and Allen Road, about a mile from downtown Naches, passing a school zone. WSDOT flaggers manage traffic near the elementary school, with stop signs covered at the west end for smoother flow. Speed limit stays at 30 mph when children are absent; no passing allowed on the double yellow line, and caution is urged around construction vehicles.
Timeline and Impacts
Highway 12 sees roughly 12,000 daily travelers, so WSDOT stresses patience during repairs expected to last several weeks into early January 2026. Winter weather could delay progress, per WSDOT spokesperson Summer Derrey. A nearby walkway remains closed for safety amid ongoing work.
Image Credit – kxly.com
