QUILCENE — U.S. Highway 101 near Mount Walker reopened at 11:25 a.m., about two hours after both lanes were closed due to numerous spin-outs.

The State Patrol ordered the snow-covered highway closed at Milepost 302 near Spencer Creek Road at 9:30 a.m. after semi-trucks were unable to make the climb.

Kelly Stowe, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said other vehicles also had trouble staying on the road.

Stowe said the highway was reopened after DOT had cleared it of snow.

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EARLIER STORY

QUILCENE — Snow and ice prompted the closure of both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 near Mount Walker this morning.

The State Patrol ordered the highway closed at Milepost 302 near Spencer Creek Road this morning at 9:30 a.m., said Lisa Copeland, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

“Earlier there was a semi that couldn’t get any traction up the hill,” she said.

“They completely shut it down.”

Copeland did not know this morning when conditions might improve and the road be reopened to travel.