NEWHALEM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The North Cascades Highway is likely opening ahead of schedule again.

WSDOT said it’s now expecting to fully reopen the road by next Friday, June 19, depending on the weather. That would be about six days sooner than WSDOT’s most recent estimate and the second time the agency has announced an earlier reopening date for the highway this year.

The agency said crews are on track to finish the second of two emergency repair projects about a week early.

The section of the highway between Ross Dam Trailhead and Porcupine Creek remains closed to traffic, including hikers, bikers and campers.

Even with the accelerated timeline, the reopening is still expected to be the latest on record for the highway.