From Wallowa-Whitman National Forest: Wallowa Mountain Loop not currently open to wheeled vehicles for public safety

More information: Peter Fargo, Public Affairs Officer, 541-519-2809 or  peter.fargo@usda.gov

BAKER CITY, OR (March 12, 2021)__This winter, local authorities have assisted with multiple search and rescue efforts along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road after cars and trucks became stuck in the snow.  To reduce this risk, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is reminding drivers that actively groomed snowmobile routes are not legal for wheeled vehicle travel under Oregon law (ORS 821.295).  This applies to the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road between Highway 86 junction near Halfway and the Salt Creek Summit Snow Park near Joseph.  The law also applies to the 39 Road from its intersection with the Imnaha River Road just south of the Imnaha Fish Weir.

The Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, also known as the 39 Road or North Pine Road, passes through the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.  It is a groomed snowmobile route during the winter and will remain open to snowmobiles and individuals accessing private property.  Reflective barricades are in place on the south end of the road to deter wheeled vehicles from driving onto the groomed snowmobile route.  While the barricades are painted bright orange and reflective, all vehicle operators are advised to avoid a collision by noting the location of the barriers and nearby landmarks.  Please be extra cautious in low-light conditions.

“We plan to accommodate spring recreators and hunters by moving the barricades up the mountain as the snow recedes,” said Dan Story, Whitman District Road Engineer.  “This is a popular destination during all seasons, and especially for summer motorists, so we will be removing the barricades as soon as we can clear the road of down trees, boulders, and other obstacles.”

Mountain driving always has its risks.  Snow-covered roads may appear drivable until the vehicle reaches an obstacle, such as a tree or snow drift, and the driver is forced to stop, reverse, or turn around.  Many vehicles become stuck when the driver attempts to turn around and loses traction in the softer margins of the road.  Also, many on-board navigation systems are not up to date with seasonal conditions, especially in remote and rural areas.  Across the western US, there is a growing trend of these devices directing drivers to take backcountry routes that are not passable in winter.  It is best to check local information sources and know before you go.

Tips for a safer mountain driving experience during the winter and early spring:

• Use snow tires or chains as snow, ice, and water can create dangerously slippery roads.
• Be prepared to spend the night in your vehicle.
• Bring extra layers, handwarmers, sleeping bags, food, water, flashlights, extra batteries, and a kit to start a fire if necessary.
• Bring a satellite-based phone or emergency beacon in case you are out of cell range.
• Most importantly, make a plan and tell somebody else where you are going, your travel route, when you plan to return, and when you will check back in with them.
• Expect snowpack conditions to change as roads change in elevation and know that conditions at high elevations may remain impassable into July. Barricades are still in place at the junction of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road and Highway 86 near Halfway, Oregon.

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From ODOT: Bridge repair work starts near Elgin March 29; Plan for delays

More information: Tom Strandberg, 541-663-6261 or thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us

ELGIN, OR (March 18, 2021)__Starting March 29, the Oregon Department of Transportation will be repairing the Grande Ronde River (South Elgin) Bridge along OR 82. The structure is located at milepost 19.2, less than a mile southwest of Elgin. Traffic impacts starting April 1 will include single lane travel across the bridge with traffic controlled by flaggers for the first day or two, as crews install temporary barriers down the middle of the bridge and temporary traffic signals at both ends of the bridge. Expect up to 20-minute delays.

Once the traffic signals are operational, wait times will be shorter, depending on traffic volumes. The temporary signals, lane closures and construction delays will continue 24/7 through the summer months.

Please be patient and plan extra travel time along this route. Obey flaggers and traffic signals at all times to keep everyone safe. Construction crews are working to repair deteriorating bridge conditions and improve safety for motorist, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Work includes removing and replacing the existing concrete overlay and bridge rail, and replacing the deck joints. All work is scheduled to be completed and lane restrictions removed by July15, 2021. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones.

We greatly appreciate your support and patience for this and all highway construction projects.

For more information check out the OR 82: Grande Ronde (South Elgin) Bridge Repairs project information page at www.tinyurl.com/odot5 .

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/sheriff-frees-stuck-driver/article_70448e9e-310a-11eb-b175-4f7375d07ea7.html

Whether traveling the backroads or on freeways in winter, it is important to slow down and always carry warm coats, boots, gloves, blankets, food, water and a flashlight. From whichever direction you travel to reach or pass through northeast Oregon, you will be going over mountain passes. Storms can come any time and roads may be closed due to blowing and drifting snow or icy conditions. Be prepared to safely wait it out in your vehicle if needed. Here is a link to safety tips for winter driving from the Oregon Department of Transportation, covering all kinds of conditions. Look for a full list of recommended emergency supplies and travel safely.

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/winter-driving.aspx 

Keep an eye on www.tripcheck.com to view road cameras and learn about driving alerts.

Regardless of where you are traveling in Northeast Oregon throughout winter, please slow down and drive for the conditions. Remember, even the “low” elevation areas of Northeast Oregon are just barely under 3000′, and no matter which direction you are traveling, you are going to go over a mountain pass. Just be prepared. The Oregon Department of Transportation always provides some great tips for this time of year. Here is their recent press release from Region 5, District 13:

Possible snow in forecast – gear up for winter driving challenges

November 22, 2019

For more information, contact Tom Strandberg 541-963-1330,  Thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Travelers should be ready for hazardous travel conditions next week, with the possibility of slick, ice or snow covered roads. The National Weather Service issued a forecast that includes a chance for snow on Sunday and next week.

Frozen fog and ice contributed to several crashes on Interstate 84 west of Pendleton earlier today.

ODOT maintenance crews are staffed up for winter, with snow removal equipment being deployed where needed. Motorists are reminded to prepare for challenging travel conditions by getting their vehicles ready and keeping winter safety in mind.

“Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for travel,” said ODOT District 13 Manager Ace Clark. “We will have crews on the highways day and night plowing snow, applying sand, salt and deicer as appropriate, and monitoring conditions. Please plan extra travel time, be prepared for winter weather and drive according to conditions of the road. We want everyone to get to their destination safely.”

Watch for winter construction activities that are continuing along I-84 east of La Grande in the Ladd Canyon area. The downhill westbound freeway between mileposts 272 and 270 will remain limited to one lane due to ongoing construction through mid-to-late December. Both of the eastbound lanes heading up the hill are open.

ODOT urges motorists to drive for the inclement weather by slowing down and turning off cruise controls. Travelers should check road and weather conditions at TripCheck.com before getting behind the wheel. Links to winter driving safety tips are also available on this site under the “Road and Weather” tab. Just open the “Winter Travel” and “Winter Driving Safety” drop down menus where you’ll find helpful messages. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Be ready to use your chains. Be patient. Go slowly.
• Turn off cruise control. Never use cruise control in wet, icy, snowy or slippery conditions.
• Expect a long commute that could last hours. You never know when weather or traffic incidents will cause the road to be closed for extended periods.
• Along with snow and slick conditions, expect visibility to be limited.
• Make sure your wipers, headlights, turn signals, heater, etc. are in good working order.
• Keep fuel tank full (in case you get stuck in road closure).
• Keep cell phone charged.
• Avoid following GPS navigation directions onto remote or unfamiliar roadways if detoured off of the main highway. Many non-highway routes are not maintained during winter.
• Carry emergency supplies (water, food, warm clothes, flashlight, etc.)
• Increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Use extra caution and keep safety in mind when installing tire chains along the side of the roadway. Other drivers may not be able to see you clearly.
• Drive according to conditions of the road, regardless of posted speed limits.
• Keep a watch on weather conditions throughout the day in anticipation of the next snow storm which could make current road conditions worse.
• At the end of your trip, wash off your vehicle to remove mud, snow, road salt and deicer residue.

Know Before You Go: Call 5-1-1 or visit www.TripCheck.com for the latest real-time traffic updates and camera views of Oregon’s highways. Outside of Oregon, travelers can call 503-588-2941.

From the Wallowa Whitman: Construction to Continue on Forest Service 39 Road

BAKER CITY, OR – Work on the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road — also known as Forest Service Road (FSR) 39 — will resume April 13, 2015.

Tidewater Contractors from Brookings, OR, will first plow the alternate route, Forest Service Road (FSR) 66, and gate off the seasonal snowmobile route that follows FSR 39 by April 15, weather permitting.

The 18-mile construction area between the junction of Highway 86 and the 39 Road heading north to the junction of the 39 Road and the 66 Road will be gated closed until June 16. Contractors hope to have the 66 Road detour route cleared of snow by April 15, but there may be delays. Please check the Wallowa-Whitman website for the most current information http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/

Beginning June 16, FSR 39 will be closed to passenger vehicles from 8 a.m. Tuesday to 5 p.m. Thursday to allow campers and others to use the route on the weekends. The 39 Road is not maintained for passenger travel until after June 15.

Beginning July 1, through completion of construction, visitors can expect rough surfaces and delays of up to one hour on FSR 39, or use the alternate route (FSR 66).

“We appreciate the contractor’s efforts to minimize the inconvenience to motorists and consider them a partner in our effort to improve the visitor experience along this Scenic Byway,” Forest Supervisor Tom Montoya said.

Slated for completion this fall, the $5.3 million project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and is the largest of its kind in the Forest Service system.

Baker County Commissioner Bill Harvey and Wallowa County Commissioner Mike Hayward said they look forward to the re-opening of the roadway, which is a popular visitor route.

“We are very pleased that the contractor will finish the reconstruction work on the 39 Road this summer,” Hayward said. “The promotion of this area through Travel Oregon’s 7 Wonders of Oregon Campaign has significantly increased the interest in this route and along with Cycle Oregon visiting this area in the fall will have tremendous economic impact to Wallowa County. Let’s get the project done as soon as possible to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to showcase our county and region.”

Crews began reconstructing 13 miles of FSR 39 beginning at the junction of Highway 86 (10 miles east of Halfway) and northward to the junction of FSR 66 in 2013. An additional five miles were added to the project in the summer of 2014, for a total of 18 miles of reconstruction.

The detour route, FSR 66, is 30 miles in length and is a well-maintained single-lane gravel road with pullouts, but it is not recommended for motor homes.

First designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1992, the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road was named a State Scenic Byway in 1996. In 2000, the Federal Highways Administration established the Hells Canyon All-American Road for its qualities of exceptional scenery, widely varied terrain, recreational opportunities, and historical significance.

For more information about the construction project, closures, and detour information, please continue to visit the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest web site at: www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman or contact your local Ranger District office contact the Wallowa Mountains Office at 541-426-5546.