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| Road crews still at work on Oregon 6 | ||
| 11/13/2008 | ||
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Wilson River Highway likely to remain closed overnight On Wednesday, just after 9 p.m., steep terrain and heavy rains caused a mud and debris slide that closed Oregon 6, Wilson River Highway, at mile post 15. The slide blocked a culvert, ripped out guardrail and left a deep, muddy mess for road crews. “The terrain makes this a trouble spot,” said Assistant District Manager Steve Carter. “The steep hillside creates a faster flow, which can bring down more debris and clog the culvert.” Culverts are used to channel water under a roadway. When a culvert is blocked, mud and debris can flow onto the road. Crews have cleared a path for emergency vehicles and to allow construction equipment to reach the culvert. Crews are currently working to clear debris, access the culvert and restore traffic flow. An estimate for reopening is unavailable. Clean up will likely continue overnight. A steep drop where guardrail once stood also creates safety concerns. “Once the culvert has been cleared, we will have a better idea of the road’s condition,” said Carter. “There is a lot of accumulated mud and debris, making it difficult to access the culvert. We will open the highway as soon as it we can make sure the road is safe.” Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, such as U.S. 26 to Oregon 53, until Oregon 6 can be reopened. “I would encourage people to use www.tripcheck.com,” said Public Information Officer Adam Torgerson. “Especially if it looks like bad weather, check TripCheck before heading out to make sure the route is clear.” ##ODOT##
For more information: Adam Torgerson Public Information Officer, (503) 986-2880 Photos courtesy of ODOT    |
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