Overnight Snowslides Close Highway 20 Again

Crews hoped to have a single lane of traffic open by 9:00 AM.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SANTIAM JUNCTION, Ore. ) - Two additional snow slides late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning have covered part of U.S. 20 near the Santiam Junction.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has closed U.S. 20 for the third time in 24 hours as snow continues to slide onto the highway between mile posts 78.5-80. Current estimates put the snow at 12-15 feet deep across the highway as snow continues to slide.

Oregon 126 at McKenzie Bridge will also be closed as a result of the slides on U.S. 20.

Crews initially closed U.S. 20 just after 10:00 PM. Another slide occurred just before midnight, after the highway had been closed.

No injuries have been reported.

Drivers will be notified of the closure at Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie Bridge and Sisters.

Preliminary estimates are 7-8 hours until to clear the existing snow on the roadway to open at least one lane of traffic.

Closure time may increase depending upon whether there is more slide activity in the area overnight and conditions found at daybreak.

As of 5:35 AM, estimates remain unchanged. Crews hope to have a single lane of traffic open by 9:00 AM. There have been no reports of additional major snow slides.