NEWPORT — Avoid traveling on U.S. Highway 101 north of Newport on Thursday and Monday – or be prepared to wait in traffic.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is warning that crews have repaired sinkholes and slide damage on U.S. 101 north of Newport between milepost 133 and 136.5 on Friday. Originally scheduled to be paved earlier this week, that was delayed by rain and now is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 7.
Travelers should expect long delays during the work, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There are no alternate routes.
Winter weather brings sinkholes on the Oregon Coast as extra water combines with ancient slides to damage sections of U.S. 101. Local travelers between Newport and Otter Crest are familiar with spots in the road dropping several inches in a day.
Projects to slow slide movement by improving drainage have been done and more are coming. These include one at Beverly Beach completed several years ago, one at Johnson Creek that is underway, and one planned for next year at Moolack.
