SALEM--Starting on Thursday, October 1(tomorrow), the Oregon Department of Transportation is adding a new pilot car to the schedule to allow residents to get back into the Santiam Canyon later in the day. The new pilot car will run at 6 p.m. from Gates to Detroit/Idanha. The new pilot car schedule is:
7:30 a.m. Detroit to Gates
9 a.m. Gates to Detroit
11 a.m. Detroit to Gates
1 p.m. Gates to Detroit
5 p.m. Detroit to Gates
6 p.m. Gates to Detroit
ODOT is also moving one of the road blocks from milepoint 50.5 to approximately 46.7 to allow for access into Mongold State Park for bathroom and other facilities starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday. We will also be using the state park to stage those folks wanting to get into the pilot car line.
ODOT continues to use pilot cars in the Santiam Canyon to safety move residents through numerous work zones where hazard trees are being removed.
SPRINGFIELD--Pilot cars operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation are scheduled on OR 126 McKenzie Highway this week during the following hours:
Morning
8 a.m. west to east
9 a.m. east to west
Evening
4 p.m. west to east
5 p.m. east to west
6 p.m. west to east
The pilot cars are being operated from two miles east of Vida at milepost 27.55 to east of Finn Rock at milepost 38. Pilot cars are being used to provide access for residents so they can travel safely through multiple work zones where hazard trees are being removed.
SPRINGFIELD--Pilot cars operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation are scheduled on OR 126 McKenzie Highway this week during the following hours:
Morning
8 a.m. west to east
9 a.m. east to west
Evening
4 p.m. west to east
5 p.m. east to west
6 p.m. west to east
The pilot cars are being operated from two miles east of Vida at milepost 27.55 to east of Finn Rock at milepost 38. Pilot cars are being used to provide access for residents so they can travel safely through multiple work zones where hazard trees are being removed.
EUGENE--Starting tonight at 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday, September 28 (all hours) the following ramps will be closed as part of the OR 569: Beltline @ Delta Interchange Project:
Beltline eastbound to Delta soutbound ramp; during the closure, traffic will detour taking Beltline eastbound to I-5 southbound, to I-105 westbound to Delta northbound.
Delta southbound to Beltline eastbound ramp; during the closure, traffic will detour taking Delta southbound to the Goodpasture off ramp to the Goodpasture on ramp to Delta northbound to Beltline eastbound.
SALEM--OR 22E remains closed indefinitely from Gates Hill Road (milepost 33) in Gates to the OR 22/U.S. 20 intersection (Santiam Junction). Marion County still has the North Fork Road and Pioneer Road closed at OR 22E.
The wildfires damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of trees along OR 22E. These hazard trees are a threat to the road and to the travelers that use it. Crews have been working hard to remove them so we can open up other sections of the highway. Also, miles of guardrail and hundreds of signs have been damaged or destroyed and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced.
ODOT’s immediate goal is to get the hazard trees cleared, and then use pilot cars from the east and west to open these communities while we work on the other repairs. ODOT continues to work closely with the Oregon State Police, and the Marion and Linn County Sheriff’s departments on a daily basis and will continue to coordinate our efforts with them to open up the communities of Detroit and Idanha.
Other highways in the state are closed because of wildfire damage to the roads. ODOT is working to open these highways as quickly and safely as possible to all access to allow for property owners and the communities that were impacted.
On those roads that are open near wildfires, travelers should make sure to drive the posted speeds, exercise caution and be aware of firefighting equipment and emergency vehicles that are still operating in the area.