ODOT crews work to reopen S. Oregon highways
Oregon Highways 138E, 230 and 62 in the High Cascades will remain closed Monday night as ODOT crews continues work to clear fallen trees hazards, officials said.
ODOT Maintenance Manager Dan Metz said the agency’s goal is to reopen Oregon 138E (North Umpqua Highway) by Tuesday night.
More ODOT maintenance crews were called in Monday to expedite reopening the highways. Using graders, ODOT cut paths through the snow for utility crews and contracted timber fallers.
“We can’t clear the snow until you we get the fallen trees and power lines out of the way first,” Metz said. “Our plan is to reopen the North Umpqua Highway first and then concentrate on Oregon 230.
“We’re dealing mainly with deep snow near U.S. 97. From the west side of Oregon 138E, the hazards are downed trees, power lines and snow.”
The three highways were closed on Saturday, Dec. 12 for public safety due to blizzard conditions. Snow, mudslides, and fallen trees and power lines continued through Sunday. Advance warning signs were posted, directing travelers to use alternate routes from U.S. 97 to Interstate 5.
