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

The post ODOT Confirms Indefinite Closure of OR 229 After Major Landslide appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Results of the Enforcement Campaign

Carried out in collaboration with the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, the campaign spanned October through December. Over the course of 30 separate enforcement operations conducted throughout various regions of the Thruway, authorities issued 7,301 violations, including 31 citations for over-height vehicles.

Here’s a detailed summary of the fourth quarter outcomes:

• Commercial vehicle inspections conducted: 3,767

• Vehicles taken out of service: 997

• Tickets issued: 7,301

These inspections were held statewide, across all four Thruway Authority Maintenance Divisions.

Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the Thruway Authority, commented on the importance of this effort, stating, “Bridge hits on the Thruway system are a safety issue and can cause considerable damage to our infrastructure resulting in countless delays for motorists and the diverting of critical resources from highway maintenance and upkeep. The law requires drivers to know the height of their vehicle to mitigate these avoidable incidents and with the increasing number of trucks on the roads, it’s incumbent upon drivers to be vigilant to keep traffic moving.”

A Persistent Infrastructure Challenge

Since 2020, 231 bridge strikes have been recorded across the Thruway, with 56 incidents reported in 2024 alone. One notable event occurred on August 31, 2023, when an over-height tractor-trailer collided with the South Broadway overpass in South Nyack. Following the impact, southbound lanes on I-87/I-287 were closed for approximately 15 hours on September 9, 2023, to remove two damaged girders and stabilize the structure.

The Most Frequently Hit Bridges

Records show that certain bridges experience repeated collisions by over-height vehicles. The top three most affected structures on the New York State Thruway are:

1. Middle Black Brook Road Bridge (Seneca County, I-90, Milepost 318.57)

• Total hits since 2020: 31

• Hits since 2023: 16

1. North Grand Island Bridge Northbound (Niagara County, I-190)

• Total hits since 2020: 23

• Hits in 2024 alone: 8

1. South Broadway Overpass (Rockland County, I-87, Milepost 16.44)

• Total hits since 2020: 14

• Hits in 2024 alone: 3

Know the Rules on Vehicle Height

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law specifies that the maximum height for vehicles, including any load, must not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches. For vehicles exceeding this height, operators must apply for a Special Hauling Permit to travel on the Thruway.

Source: Truckers News

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