07/01/09 McKenzie Pass
 
Due to ongoing construction on OR242 (McKenzie Pass Highway), the Oregon Department of Transportation has concluded that in the interest of safety, the Highway will not open to motorists until mid-August.
 
Workers are in the midst of a $3.8 million dollar project to repair bridges and repave 15 miles the Scenic Highway under a contract with the Federal Highway Administration.  Some milling/grinding has taken place and temporary patches have been paved.  Currently, crews are building gabion baskets (photo attached) to contain rock foundations for the highway.  This preliminary work needs to be completed before final paving can take place.
 
To maintain safe working conditions and limit hazards to motorists ODOT has decided that the highway will remain closed to all motor vehicles until paving is complete, expected about mid-August.  That will mark the end of the three year project, with no further such closures anticipated.