VANCOUVER, WA - The Lewis River Road, also known as Forest Service Road 90, reopened today with a bypass around the Marble Creek washout, Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials announced.

The main east-west road across the south end of the Forest has been blocked by a 180-foot washout at Marble Creek, about 12 miles east of Cougar, since flooding in February. A culvert washed out, blocking the main access to Forest Service Road 25, which connects Pine Creek with the Windy Ridge Viewpoint and Randle.

The bypass will remain in place until a bridge is completed over Marble Creek in 1998.

Forest Service Road 93 will remain closed at its intersection with Forest Service Road 25 until further notice. The road suffered flood damage and is under repair. Spencer Meadow, a popular hunting area, is accessible via Forest Service Road 90 and 93 near the Lewis River Horse Camp, about 35 miles east of Cougar.