Oregon 138 West (Elkton to Sutherlin Highway) is expected to remain closed until Tuesday due to a rockslide 10 miles south of Elkton.
During the closure, traffic will detour nine miles along Bullock Road, which runs parallel to the highway but on the opposite side of the Umpqua River. Detour signs are in place.
ODOT has contracted with Weekly Bros. of Glide to remove the rock and debris. The contractor is expected to take over cleanup operations from ODOT crews this afternoon. Weekly Bros. estimates they will be able to remove the slide material and any loose rock on the hillside by early next week.
The highway has been closed since 6 a.m. today when a rockslide was reported at milepost 10.8, about one mile north of the Yellow Creek day use area.
The slide involved an estimated 7,000 cubic yards of rock and debris, blocking both lanes. A typical dump truck can carry 10-15 cubic yards of material.
Cleanup operations will also involve blasting, and ODOT will provide notice to nearby residents.
No estimates are available for the cost of the cleanup operations. ODOT is working with Douglas County to identify a disposal site for the rockslide material.
