A major landslide has shut down a key stretch of Oregon Route 229, and state officials say drivers should plan for a long-term closure while engineers assess what it will take to rebuild the roadway.
The Oregon Department of Transportation confirmed that OR 229 remains completely closed between mileposts 14 and 15, near Kernville and Siletz, after a massive slide on Dec. 12, 2025. The damage wiped out sections of the highway, leaving the route unsafe for any traffic. Motorists and commercial drivers are being directed to use U.S. 101 as the primary alternative.
According to ODOT, the situation is far more complicated than clearing debris and reopening lanes. The roadway itself was destroyed, and the surrounding terrain continues to pose risks.
“Water continues to be one of the biggest challenges at the site and is a key factor affecting the timeline to reopen the highway,” ODOT said. “Saturated ground conditions limit access and increase the risk of additional movement or new slides. The project team is looking at ways to help the area dry faster, but it’s too early to know what options might work.”
Rebuilding Timeline Remains Unclear
State engineers and geotechnical specialists are still studying the slide area, but officials caution that firm timelines are not yet possible.
“ODOT engineers and geotechnical experts continue to evaluate the site,” ODOT said. “There are still many unknowns, so it’s too early to set a detailed timeline. Based on what is known right now, fully rebuilding OR 229 is expected to take years. The team will continue to assess over the winter months as conditions allow.”
ODOT described the landslide as highly complex, with different types of movement across the affected area. Some sections shifted as large blocks of soil and rock, while others liquefied into mud due to heavy saturation. Because of the instability and the risk of further movement along the edges of the slide, crews cannot safely access the site on foot.
Outside experts are assisting ODOT in evaluating the full scope of the damage and identifying possible paths forward. Assessments will continue as weather and ground conditions permit, with potential repair strategies and timelines to be outlined once enough data can be gathered safely.
What Drivers Need to Know
At this time, there is no local detour around the closure. ODOT has developed a long-term detour plan and is reviewing possible short-term solutions. Crews are currently installing detour signage, and updated routing information will be posted on TripCheck.com once signage is complete.
For truck drivers and others who regularly travel through Lincoln County, the closure represents a significant disruption. ODOT emphasized that reopening the route will require extensive analysis, design work, funding, and construction comparable to building an entirely new roadway.
The agency said it will continue monitoring conditions and sharing updates as more information becomes available.
Source: The Trucker
