NEWS RELEASE:

U.S. 101 will be closed this weekend south of Bandon

Sept. 16, 2025

BANDON – U.S. 101 is scheduled to close six miles south of Bandon at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19. The highway is expected to reopen late Sunday night, Sept. 21.

The weekend closure will allow ODOT and prime contractor Farline Bridge, Inc., to replace a failing culvert that sits 20 feet below the road surface at Bearhead Mountain Lane (milepost 281.8).

There are no local alternate routes for vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians.

During the closure, ODOT recommends that people traveling between Coos Bay and Crescent City, California, detour along Oregon 42 (Coos Bay to Roseburg Highway), Interstate 5 and U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway).

Those who cannot take the recommended detour are advised to adjust their travel schedules to pass through the work zone before or after the weekend closure.

Don’t get lost

ODOT cautions drivers who are unfamiliar with the area to avoid Forest Service roads or other routes through the mountains and backcountry.

These roads may not be paved or maintained, and there could be large rocks, potholes or other hazards. Some roads are currently being used by firefighters. Few directional signs are posted along these routes, and cell phone service may not be available.

Looking ahead

When U.S. 101 reopens at Bearhead Mountain Lane, travelers can expect another 2-3 weeks of single-lane closures through the work zone. Most delays will be less than 20 minutes.

All work on this $1.25 million project is expected to be completed by the middle of October.

For more information, visit the project webpage or contact ODOT Public Information Officer Dan Latham at 541-817-5200 or Dan.Latham@odot.oregon.gov.

Go to www.TripCheck.com for the latest road and travel information.

Transportation funding

ODOT is experiencing a significant and immediate funding shortfall that is resulting in staff layoffs and reduced capacity across the agency. Without new revenue or flexibility in spending, ODOT is forced to make deep cuts and lay off hundreds of people to stay within its budget.

Some critical maintenance and preservation activities, like this one, will continue to ensure the safety of the transportation system. These efforts may still be delayed, take longer to complete, or be limited in scope due to reduced staffing and resources. We will continue to do everything possible to prioritize safety and minimize disruptions, but we ask for your understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented constraints.

For more information on ODOT’s funding crisis, visit our website.

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There are no local road connections around the work zone. During the U.S. 101 closure, drivers traveling between Crescent City and Coos Bay can detour along U.S. 199, Interstate 5 and Oregon 42.