JOYCE – Work has started to reopen Highway 112 to the west end.

After four months of environmental permitting and design work, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation began work today to fix the roadway that slid away in landslides late last year.

The most serious roadway damage occurred near Jim Creek, where crews will first begin construction of a mesh retaining wall to support the highway above.

Scarsella Brothers, Inc. crews will work six days a week inside the closure area on SR 112 to repair six slide sites that began in late December. The highway will remain closed between mileposts 31 and 39. Travelers will continue to detour using US 101 and SR 113 during construction.

The state shut down the 8-mile section of highway December 21 last year after high temperatures, heavy rains, snow and seasonal tides affected the area