At about milepost 158 on North Cascade Highway, the open road stopped at a 6-foot-tall wall of packed snow Thursday.

Slowly, transportation worker Louis Crookshank cut through the snow with a snow blower, making a canyon-like path through the bank not quite big enough for two cars to drive side-by-side and exposing 6 to 7 feet of depth.

It’s been slow work for Crookshank and crews on either side of the mountains this year.

Washington Department of Transportation crews clearing the road have cleared multiple avalanches this year thanks to a heavy, wet pack of snow. Crews working from the east side of the mountains cleared and recleared roads after numerous avalanches, said DOT spokesman Dustin Terpening.

“You make some progress, and you get snow and warmer temperatures, and you get slides,” Terpening said. “It’s a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing.”

The crews are still working to have the highway opened at the same time as last year. The passes close every winter, as early as October and as late as January, but reopen any time from March to May. Last year, the highway opened May 1, and it hasn’t opened earlier than April since 2005.

“The crew is pretty committed to try to make that May 1st date this year,” said Jeff Adamson, DOT spokesman. “They’re an optimistic bunch, or they wouldn’t be doing what they do.”

But the clearing work depends on the weather. More snow and warmer temperatures could increase the risk of avalanche and delay that opening date.

Crews on the east side of the mountain have been delayed to the point that those on the west are already past the usual meeting point.

DOT Superintendent Ted Dempsey had his crews out to Bridge Creek Thursday, which is usually where the east- and west-side crews meet. There’s still 10 miles of 6-foot-tall snow to plow through.

Dempsey said his crew is working hard, but safely. He knows communities near Rainy Pass are anxious for an open road.

“I’d rather have people angry and alive than angry and dead,” he said.

Dempsey said the avalanche shoot nearest to Bridge Creek had an avalanche last week. He said it was the first time he’s seen an avalanche there since 1988. A path of snow runs from the top of the mountain and widens as it opens onto the road. An avalanche like that could delay work or make unsafe driving conditions.

Local businesses are especially eager for open roads.

Marshall Cooper, owner of the Buffalo Run Inn and Restaurant, said he’s frustrated when the highway remains closed until May, especially this year.

Cooper said he lost a huge amount of business when Rockport lost power for eight days this winter, and he’s waiting for the tourism dollars to start flowing.

“Our restaurant and our business operates on a bell curve,” Cooper said. “When the pass opens, we start going up the bell.”

Val Stafford, Concrete Chamber of Commerce president, said even an hour west of Rainy Pass, businesses benefit when it opens.

“It’s just a whole different atmosphere when that pass opens,” Stafford said. “We get a lot more tourists in town and businesses do better.”

Terpening said he understands the frustration nearby communities have as they wait.

“This road is the life line for many communities on either side of the pass,” Terpening said. “When it opens, it is a major boost for the economy.”

But he said seeing the work in progress shows how important it is to remain safe, even though nearby residents might wonder why the pass is still closed.

“Without being able to see what we’re doing, it’s a reasonable question,” Terpening said. “You get in here and do some work, and you realize it’s really dangerous.”

• Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or .