The Oregon Department of Transportation will close Highway 126 near Belknap Hot Springs for 48 hours this week.
ODOT spokesperson Mindy McCartt said earlier this month, crews repaved two bridges in the area, closing the road for three nights.
This week’s full closure runs from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, allowing ODOT to finish paving work at Lost Creek Bridge.
“We are recommending either using (to the north) US 20 or (to the south) OR 58," said McCartt. "It might take you a little bit longer, but that’s going to be the safest route for anyone traveling from the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon or vice versa.”
McCartt said GPS may tell people to take Highway 242. But she warned that the so-called Old McKenzie Highway is narrow, with length restrictions for vehicles, no shoulders, and few places to turn around.
She said no further road closures are expected on the project, but crews will have striping and rumble strip work to complete, so drivers should continue to expect delays.
You can visit TripCheck.com for current road conditions.
