Massive landslide closes state highway in Oregon’s Coast Range, takes out part of road

(Update: Adding video)

SILETZ, Ore. (KTVZ) – A large landslide following days of heavy rain and high water has closed Oregon Highway 229 in the Coast Range, the Oregon Department of Transportation said Friday.

"Because the slide has taken out a portion of the road, this will be a long-term closure," the agency said.

The closure is between mileposts 14 and 15, an area located between Kernville and Siletz.

ODOT says its crews have been responding to weather-related impacts along the low-volume highway in recent days, including emergency repairs to a sunken grade area near milepost 9 on Wednesday. 

At this time, it is not known whether the closure will last days, weeks, months, or longer, ODOT said The agency's geotechnical crews will need time to assess the slope and determine next steps before a timeline can be established. 

There is no detour available. ODOT said travelers should avoid the area and plan alternate routes. Many motorists will need to use U.S. Highway 101 to get around the closure.

ODOT said its crews will continue to monitor conditions and will share updates as more information becomes available. Travelers are encouraged to check TripCheck.com for the latest road conditions before heading out. 

"We are currently flying a drone over the slide to have our teams assess the magnitude," ODOT Region 2 Public Information Officer Mindy McCartt told KTVZ News.

She said the slide was "still actually moving as of about 20 minutes ago. Early reports from some of our crews is that this might be the biggest slide ODOT has seen."