Two Oregon Highways Closed by Mudslides, Fallen Trees

Heavy snowfall and saturated soil are combining to bring down trees and power lines on the highway between Noti and Mapleton.

File photo

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore. ) - Dozens of fallen trees and continued heavy snowfall have forced the total closure of Highway 126W and Highway 36 between the Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon Coast.

A mudslide with large trees and rocks forced the closure of Highway 126W at milepoint 25 about 10 miles east of Mapleton at 1:00 AM Sunday morning.

The slide is not expected to be cleared until late Sunday night at the earliest. Heavy snowfall and saturated soil are combining to bring down trees and power lines on the highway between Noti and Mapleton. ODOT has closed the highway to westbound traffic at Poodle Creek Road, and to eastbound traffic at Mapleton.

The same conditions – fallen trees and power lines coupled with near-whiteout conditions – persist on Highway 36 from Deadwood to Mapleton.

ODOT has closed Highway 36 westbound at Cheshire, but is allowing local traffic to access homes and businesses. Eastbound Highway 36 traffic is closed at Mapleton.

ODOT crews from Florence, Veneta, Eugene and Oakridge are clearing trees, plowing snow and sanding the affected highways.

Those motorists needing to drive between the valley and the coast can use Highway 38 or Highway 20, although drivers should avoid traveling these corridors unless absolutely necessary due to hazardous conditions.