TILLAMOOK – The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to close Oregon Highway 6 (Wilson River Highway) to all traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians, near the summit from 4 a.m. Jan. 26 until 4 a.m. Jan. 28 to perform emergency repairs resulting from the December storms that caused severe highway slope damage because of heavy rain and flooding. A large crane and/or excavator will be needed to place approximately 35 boulders weighing 60,000 pounds along the river’s edge.

The highway has sustained considerable damage at two locations. At milepost 30.8 (about 2 miles west of the Tillamook/Washington County line) high water on the Wilson River caused a slope failure leading to the loss of a section of the paved shoulder. The second damaged location is also a slope failure, and is closer to the summit.

Emergency service providers have been consulted and will be able to maintain acceptable service levels, with LifeFlight standing by for critical cases.

During the complete closure, passenger-sized vehicles and light trucks can travel northbound U.S. Highway 101 to northbound Oregon Route 53 to eastbound U.S. Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) for access between Tillamook and the Portland metropolitan area.

Drivers should go to www.tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1 for the latest detour route conditions. Truckers should call ODOT’s Motor Carrier division at (503) 373-0000 for information on appropriate truck detours during the closure.

Once the highway is reopened, traffic will be restricted to one lane with flaggers controlling both directions. This restriction is expected to last for approximately one week.