The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest opened Hard Creek Bridge the end of October after two years of restricted availability. The bridge is on Cascade River Road, accessing the Mineral Park Campground on the forest and the Cascade Pass area of the North Cascades National Park. The Cascade River Road is the only road that enters the national park. “In December of 2007, an avalanche came crashing down, damaging the bridge railing, decking and footings,” said Jim Mitchell, roads manager with US Forest Service. The bridge has since been under weight limit restrictions.

The Forest Service awarded the bridge design and repair to Federal Highways Administration. Contractors began work in September and completed the project for $240,000. For more information about roads and trail closures, go to alerts and conditions on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest Service website.