Hwy. 26 reopens after closures due to 2 crashes between Madras and Mt. Hood as snow sweeps into region

(Update: ODOT says Highway 26 reopened)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two crashes about 50 miles and two hours apart closed U.S. Highway 26 north of Madras for several hours Saturday evening as an Arctic front sweeping in from the north brought snow, wind and slick roads around Central Oregon.

The first crash was reported shortly before 6 p.m. near milepost 61, about four miles south of the intersection with state Highway 35 (the Mount Hood Highway), ODOT reported on its TripCheck page.

Around the time that closure ended, an apparently multi-vehicle crash was reported around 7:15 p.m. near milepost 113, about four miles north of Madras. ODOT confirmed the closure shortly after 8 p.m. and advised motorists to “expect extended delays.”

ODOT later provided details of a detour route that was established around the crash, using NW Elm Lane, Boise Drive and Fir Lane. They said the lanes were cleared and highway reopened by about 11 p.m.

The snowy, icy conditions also apparently led to one, possibly two jackknifed semi-trucks near milepost 108 eight miles south of Terrebonne, near Juniper Butte. Other truck drivers were reported to be chaining up in the area.

Meanwhile, a rollover crash was reported about 8:15 p.m. on state Highway 126 near milepost 4, east of Redmond.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a winter weather advisory from 4 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday for a few inches of snow at lower elevations, along with gusty winds and difficult travel conditions.

Follow traffic updates on our ODOT TripCheck page. We’ll have more information as available.