ODOT NW Oregon Storm Update

ODOT Northwest Oregon Storm Update

Wednesday Dec. 9, 2015 4:45 pm

Contacts

Lou Torres, 503-986-2880, Louis.C.Torres@odot.state.or.us

Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452, Don.B.Hamilton@odot.state.or.us

Northwest Oregon was hit hard by wind and record-setting rain this week, closing roads, causing slides and prompting evacuations. Crews continue to make progress cleaning up the slides and debris, and some high water spots have receded. Here is a look at conditions as of 4:45 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 9.

High water

• High water can be found along many roads in the area, particularly along the Oregon Coast. Travelers will find pooled water and lanes closed and must use extreme caution.
  

U.S. 30

• The highway has seen four slides, three at mileposts 36, 42, and 44 near Rainier and one near the St. Johns Bridge.
• The contractor is working on the cleanup into the night and hopes to open U.S. 30 this evening.
• Oregon travelers trying to reach Astoria should go to Longview and cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge back to U.S. 30 in Oregon.
• One lane is open in each direction at the slide site at the St. Johns Bridge in Portland. Crews are working to clear the other lanes and checking to ensure the adjacent hillside presents no more threats.
  

OR 47

• The road is now open from U.S. 30 to Vernonia.
• OR 47 is open to only local and emergency traffic at the intersection with U.S. 26 (Staley’s Junction).

OR 202

• High water continues to block the road at milepost 38.6.
  

Vernonia

• The city is now accessible on OR 47 from U.S. 30. However, local flooding makes the highway accessible only by city streets in Vernonia. ODOT is prepared to assist the city.
  

U.S. 101

• Will remain closed tonight between mileposts 52.5 and 54.5 near Wheeler for continued slide cleanup and repairs. Excellent progress on cleanup but more work remains.
• ODOT Geo/Hydro engineers were assessing the slides earlier today and a contractor has begun clearing the road under an emergency contract.
• High water has closed the highway north of Tillamook.
  

OR 6

• High water has closed the road east of Tillamook.
• At milepost 35 two way traffic is being flagged through because of damaged roadway.
  

OR 22 (Three Rivers Highway) remains closed at milepost 12 (near the border of Yamhill and Polk counties) because of a sinkhole across both travel lanes. This will be a long term closure until the road can be rebuilt. The detour is OR 18 and U.S. 101.

Good News

• S. 26, OR 18 and most of OR 6 is open between Portland and the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast.
  

END