Project overview
Crews will build approximately 1.7 miles of new SR 109 between Point Haynisisoos (Point Grenville) and the Quinault Indian Nation Village of Taholah. The project will relocate the existing highway away from coastal erosion. The proposed new highway will have two lanes with wide shoulders.
What to expect
This project has not yet started. The proposed new route for the highway would pass through undeveloped forest land before reaching the Village of Taholah.
This section of SR 109 is on a coastal bluff. The highway is adjacent to an ancient slow-moving landslide. The slide is located between the Pacific Ocean and the highway.
Erosion continues to progress toward the highway, especially during strong Pacific Northwest storms.
The situation has the potential to undermine and permanently close SR 109.
SR 109 is only public route to Taholah on the Quinault Indian Nation.
The slide has also created a chronic issue for WSDOT maintenance teams. The slide has repeatedly damaged the driving surface of the roadway. Crews can only make temporary repairs. The temporary repairs are often damaged due to additional movement of the coastal bluff.
WSDOT initially looked for a temporary bypass. Further evaluation of the slide showed the temporary option would only offer short-term benefits. WSDOT is now looking at a permanent option that will provide long-term benefits.
WSDOT continues to closely monitor the slide.
