I-5 reopens in S. Oregon but travel woes abound

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Schools in western Oregon delayed start times or closed altogether as another round of winter weather hit much of the Northwest, producing slick roads and causing flights to be cancelled at Portland’s airport.

Local school districts, including Portland, Reynolds, Hillsboro and Tigard-Tualatin announced two-hour delays on Monday due to the weather. Beaverton and Salem-Keizer are closed for the day.

The Portland/Vancouver metro area is expected to see anywhere from a trace of snow to 2 inches by Monday afternoon. Areas toward the south, like Salem, could see more.

Interstate 5 between Sutherlin and Cottage Grove was closed because of heavy snow, downed trees and powerlines. An avalanche closed U.S. Highway 20 in both directions about two miles west of the Santiam Pass summit.

Here’s an ODOT update from Monday evening about closures and other issues in southern Oregon:

Highway status as of 6 p.m.
This will be the final update until tomorrow morning. Monitor Tripcheck.com for changing conditions.

I-5 is open again south of Cottage Grove after an extended closure but expect possible single lane traffic in some areas due to tree debris near the roadway.

The following are still are in effect due to high water, saturated soils, snow-downed trees and power lines:

* U.S. 101 is closed at MP 343, 12 miles north of Brookings due to sunken grade- no detour.
* Oregon 42S between Coquille and Bandon open to single lane after a landslide (MP 9)
* Oregon 138 West between Sutherlin and Elkton (MP 11-24)
* Oregon 38 west of Elkton between MP 29-37
* Single lane traffic on U.S. 101 south of Bandon at Four Mile (MP 282)
* Oregon 138 East between MP 17 and 60 (just east of Glide to West Toketee)
* Expect delays due to small slides on Oregon 42 in Coos County

Drivers should be prepared for winter driving and expect significant delays on southwest Oregon highways tonight and tomorrow.

Here’s our ODOT TripCheck page for the latest information.