Long-term closure of I-5 rest areas between Everett and Canada begins Oct. 15

Travelers who frequently use rest areas along Interstate 5 between Everett and the Canadian border will need to plan for long-term closures.

Staffing needs ahead of the busy winter season and growing safety concerns prompted the difficult decision to close these rest areas for an extended period, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said.

In recent months, there have been numerous issues with some visitors who are not using the facilities for their intended purpose. This includes those who extend their stay beyond the posted limits, illegal disposal of trash and waste, vandalizing the buildings, verbally abusing and even threatening WSDOT employees.

The three rest areas affected:

  • Custer rest area (north of Bellingham) – northbound closure for at least three months.
  • Smokey Point (north of Marysville) – northbound and southbound closure for at least three months. We are working to open access for the RV dump stations at the northbound rest area in the next few weeks.
  • Silver Lake Rest Area (south Everett) – the southbound rest area is indefinitely closed, including dump stations. The weigh station will remain open. There is no northbound rest area at this location.

WSDOT said it will reevaluate reopening all rest area facilities early next year and will make a decision based on crew and resource availability.

  1. I expect government to work for us, not against us. As the border with Canada opens, these comfort stations become even more important than they are now. They are an expected part of the interstate highway system and most travelers do not have alternatives. As the pandemic continues, many private restrooms that were once accessible to the public no longer are. It is incumbent upon WSDOT and its higher ups (aka the Governor) to keep the rest areas functional and open. This, in addition to the reduction in boats on our state highway system ferry routes is not acceptable. We are all trying to travel locally and keep ourselves safe while the pandemic continues. More bottlenecks for local travel just don’t cut it. Inslee and the Legislature need to get moving for Washington.

  2. There are clear and valid reasons for these closures which have been plainly stated in the news article. There is more at stake here then just the “pandemic”. It is prudent at this time for our State DOT to confront the inappropriate behaviors mentioned in this article. When people lack healthy coping mechanisms, they sometimes behave in ways that are just as much of a threat to others as the “pandemic”, including trespass violations and the propagation of unsanitary conditions. I agree that the current State government remains lethargic about addressing all pandemic-related issues. This is further evidenced by the lack of response to emails and phone call complaints placed to the Governor’s office, even though the Governor encourages our input. There are other ways to get “bio-breaks” and rest stops when traveling; a bit of creative effort is required. I don’t want my tax money spent on repetitive repairs to public common courtesy’s that are abused and exploited for selfish purposes. A little common sense here, please, people!!!

  3. Having just completed a travel trailer road trip to Arizona and back, we can confirm that this tendency to close key rest areas is not limited to our state. Virtually all of the Western states are having similar problems and taking similar actions at many of their rest areas. Indeed our most used rest area was our own travel trailer and we were very thankful to have it. This is just another symptom of the nationwide problem of homelessness, poor mental health treatment options, general erosion of a strong middle class and the lack of the political will or ability to do anything about it. We expect more and more from our governments in the way of services while at the same time refusing to tax ourselves for the resources to provide the services. Yet at the middle class level, we seem to be paying more and more of our shrinking incomes out for taxation. Something is seriously out of balance here and getting worse all the time.

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