Hole forms on Everett highway after someone tunneled underneath

Secret tunnel shuts down WA highway for hours

SR-529 was shut down Tuesday morning after crews found a hole that appeared on the road surface, which led them to discovery a tunnel that had been dug under the highway.

EVERETT, Wash. - Northbound State Route 529 at East Marine View Drive is back open in Everett after crews performed some emergency repairs.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), northbound SR 529 shut down Tuesday morning as crews worked to address a hole that has appeared in the road surface.

Transportation officials stated that the hole was caused by an individual tunneling beneath the roadway. The discovery prompted immediate action by maintenance teams to start the necessary repair work to ensure the safety of travelers.

"When we first assess and see a hole in the road, it's definitely not our thought that someone tunneled underneath it," said WSDOT assistant communication manager, James Poling.

Fixing the hole took about seven hours, causing traffic back-ups throughout the day.

Poling tells FOX 13 News this is not a repair WSDOT has in its budget.

"Definitely don't anticipate an undamaged charge from an individual, or individuals tunneling under our roadway," he said.

The road was back open by 3:00 p.m. after repairing the damage.

Washington State Patrol is investigating, but they think it is unlikely they will find the tunneler. No real evidence was left behind, and its possible the tunnel was dug months ago, officials said.

"This is definitely not an everyday matter by any means. This is definitely a rarity," said Poling.

While rare, the same situation happened about three years ago.

In July 2021, Everett Firefighters responded to a 45-foot-long tunnel discovered near the northbound I-5 on-ramp at Pacific Avenue.

WSP tells us no one was arrested in that incident.