UPDATE: OR 126 is now open. Oregon Department of Transportation officials say there's still lots of mud and travelers should drive carefully.
The crew is moving to clean up a slide on U.S. 101 south of Yachats. ODOT says this one should be faster – about 150 yards of material. The road is not closed, but will be flagged through cleanup.
The rain has left a lot of slopes are unstable and travelers should be prepared for road conditions (and their plans) to change quickly.
As of Tuesday morning, Highway 126 remained closed at milepost 9.4 because of a landslide. Maintenance crews are working to remove the estimated 200 yards of mud, trees, rocks and debris that fell onto the road Monday.
Lane County officials are warning motorists against using GPS devices or online maps for alternate routes on back country roads to go around the closure.
“We have seen reference to several roads, including North Fork Siuslaw and Upper North Fork Siuslaw, as possible detours but those back roads are often narrow, unpaved and generally not great options for passenger vehicles or semi-trucks,” said Lane County Public Information Officer Devon Ashbridge. “It can be easy to become lost, stranded or to find yourself at an impasse with oncoming vehicles.”
The alternate routes are Highway 34 through Corvallis or Highway 38 through Roseburg to Highway 101.
The current estimate is the road will reopen Tuesday afternoon.
Highway 126 between Florence and Eugene remained closed overnight at milepost 9.4 east of Teirnan, near the boat launch, because of a landslide. An estimated 200 yards of material was across the road. The slide was continuing to grow Monday night with mud, rocks and trees falling, creating hazardous conditions. Oregon Department of Transportation crews plan to resume clean up Tuesday morning. There is no local detour in place. More information at tripcheck.com.
