Old McKenzie Hwy., Sept. 17

Repairs to Oregon 242 (the Old McKenzie Highway) across the Cascades are expected to begin Monday, September 17. Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be stabilizing slopes and improving drainage courtesy of an $850,000 reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration following the devastating Milli Fire of 2017. The Milli Fire was active in and around the Three Sisters Wilderness area that adjoins the highway, destroying trees, culverts and patches of the highway surface. Working west from the eastern entrance near Sisters towards a point near the summit, crews will work to stabilize hillsides and culverts as time and other are maintenance priorities permit. The work will occur between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Motorists interested in driving the highway should be aware that there will be delays up to 20 minutes in either direction as the workers tackle the job, which is expected to last until snow closes the highway for the winter. Please watch out for work crews and travel slowly through the area. www.tripcheck.com for 24/7 road and weather conditions.