Custer rest stop to be closed for at least the next three months

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has closed several rest stops along I-5 between Everett and the U.S./Canada border, including in Custer, due to a lack of resources. 

The Custer rest stop and Smokey Point rest area north of Marysville were closed October 15 for what WSDOT says will be at least three months. The closures come after WSDOT had numerous issues with some visitors not using the facilities for their intended purpose, according to a news release.

“The decision to close these rest areas is not taken lightly,” said Morgan Balogh, WSDOT assistant regional administrator for maintenance, in the release. “Our priority is keeping the roadway safe for all users and we need to shift our resources moving into the winter months.”

Some rest stop users were extending their stay beyond the posted limits, illegally disposing trash and waste, vandalizing buildings, and verbally abusing and even threatening WSDOT employees, the release said.

WSDOT will reevaluate reopening rest area facilities early next year, basing the decision on crew and resource availability.