Another storm will delay repairs to the washout on Carpenterville Highway (Oregon 255) north of Brookings. The washout occurred after a debris flow plugged a c ulvert under the road. The closure is located roughly five miles north of the intersection with U.S. 101. “The toe of the fix might not be on our right of way, so we’ll be working with property owners before we can begin repairs,” said ODOT Transportation Maintenance Manager Brian Watjen. “We’re rerouting the water at the closure to prevent more damage. It is best if we can get it all fixed at once.” Watjen said he’s been in contact with area contractors and expects bids to come later this week. Still, repair work won’t begin until next Monday, at the earliest. ODOT Geology and Environmental staff assessed the damage yesterday to make repair recommendations. “We cleared a lot of downed trees on Carpenterville after the last storm,” said Watjen. “Thankfully, there are no other spots along that highway we’re concerned about right now.” Meanwhile, the Hooskanaden slide came to life again, attracting the attention of Watjen and his maintenance crew in Curry County. Located half way between Gold Beach and Brookings, the Hooskanaden slide (MP 343) is one of the largest slides on the West Coast with a storied history of repairs by Oregon’s transportation department. In January 1995, the Hooskanaden Slide closed U.S. 101 for several days. According to Watjen, the slide’s movement hasn’t led to a lane closure yet. Still, ODOT recommends travelers use extreme caution in the area. “The slide is creeping along, fueled by the extreme amounts of rainfall this area has been subjected to,” said Watjen. “We’ll do everything we can to keep the road open, but safety is our first priority.” The ODOT maintenance crew in Curry County has worked night shifts and extended hours to better respond to the storms. Watjen said the crew is busy with another storm approaching. “We do everything we can but we need the public’s help,” said Watjen. “Prepare before you travel. Reduce trips, if possible, and avoid travel during the worst of the storm.”
