Ochoco forest bridge closed pending repairs

The bridge that crosses Little Hay Creek on Forest Road 2610 of the Lookout Mountain Ranger District has temporarily closed to all public use until structural repairs can be made.

Forest Service employees discovered a sub-structure failure in the bridge during a routine inspection this morning that renders the bridge unsafe for motor vehicles and other public use. The bridge is expected to remain closed for two to four weeks while repairs are made.

The bridge is located along a seven-mile segment of Forest Road 2610 that connects Highway 26 to Ochoco Ranger Station. The bridge is less than a quarter-mile south of Highway 26, near Spears Meadow, about 19 miles east of Prineville.

The bridge closure is signed on both ends of the affected road segment (at Highway 26 on the west end and at the junction with Forest Road 22 on the east end) and the bridge is barricaded.

Travel on Forest Road 2610 is still allowed, but the road is impassable with a motor vehicle at the bridge.

An alternate route to access Forest Road 2610 from the east is at the intersection with Forest Road 22 near Ochoco Ranger Station.

A map of suggested detour driving routes is posted along the road and at the bridge.

For more information, please contact Patrick Lair at (541) 416-6647 or plair@fs.fed.us