Washington State Department of Transportation
10/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2026 16:14
Overnight closure on SR 706 near Mount Rainier National Park Friday, Oct. 16
No access to the Nisqually Entrance of the park during closure
ASHFORD - Completing crucial drainage work before storm season requires a full closure of State Route 706 for one night near the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.
From 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, until 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, SR 706 will close at Kernahan Road East. The closure creates a work zone for Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews to replace a failing culvert underneath the road.
During the overnight closure there will be no access to the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park from SR 706.
Local and emergency access
Residents who live between Kernahan Road East and milepost 12.8 near Murray Road East will have limited access during repairs. However, residents who live east of milepost 12.8 will not have access to westbound SR 706 until overnight work is complete.
Access for emergency services will be maintained throughout the closure.
About the work
WSDOT maintenance will cut away asphalt, dig down to the failing culvert and replace it with a new structure. A culvert is a large pipe that runs under roadways, allowing water to drain and flow beneath. After the new structure is in place, crews will cover it with compacted gravel before reopening the roadway.
WSDOT estimates nearly 1,500 state-owned culverts are about to or have reached the end of their useful life. Many culverts are more than 50 years old and need replacement.
When the road reopens
Once the initial work is complete, travelers can expect reduced speeds and a small portion of SR 706 to remain gravel near milepost 12.8. Crews will return for daytime paving of that section at a later date. That work will include one-way alternating travel and will occur as soon as weather and materials allow.
Travelers are encouraged to sign up for email updates about work on state roads in Pierce County. Real-time travel information is available from the WSDOT app and statewide travel map.
Washington State Department of Transportation published this content on October 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 07, 2026 at 22:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]