U.S. 101 closed south of Brinnon because of storm-related blockages

Published 12:01 am Thursday, December 20, 2012

BRINNON — A 25-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 101 south of Brinnon has been closed because of weather-related blockages.

Wednesday’s storm caused fallen trees, mudslides and downed power lines to block the road that hugs Hood Canal. State Highway 106 in Mason County is partially blocked, too.

Crews are now on-site, clearing trees brought down by heavy snow and winds. The highways will be closed until further notice while the clearing work continues, the state Department of Transportation said..

Officials said crews will concentrate on clearing Highway 101, then go to work on reopening Highway 106.

There was no estimate for when the highways would be opened to traffic.

The alternate route to Shelton is via state Highway 104 over the Hood Canal Bridge, then south on state Highway 3 in Kitsap County.