Truck Route OR 229 Shut Down by Massive Landslide

Oregon Landslide Shuts Down OR 229

A large landslide in western Oregon has closed a truck route along Oregon Route 229 between Kernville and Siletz. The slide occurred on Dec. 12, 2025, near mileposts 14 and 15 in Lincoln County and destroyed part of the highway. Since then, the road has been closed to all traffic, including commercial trucks.

ODOT says the damage is severe and ongoing ground movement makes the area unsafe. For trucking companies that use this corridor to move freight between inland Oregon and the coast, the closure has created long detours and added travel time.

Water Continues to Threaten the Truck Route

Water is one of the biggest challenges keeping this truck route closed. The ground around the slide is heavily saturated, which increases the risk of more soil and rock shifting. These wet conditions also prevent crews and equipment from safely reaching the damaged area.

ODOT engineers are exploring ways to help the site dry out, but it is too early to know which options might work. Until the ground becomes more stable, any major repair work remains on hold.

Landslide Damage Makes The Route Unsafe

The landslide that destroyed this truck route did not move in one simple way. ODOT reports that in some areas, large blocks of earth and rock slid downhill, while in other spots the ground turned into thick mud and flowed across the roadway.

This mix of movement makes the area highly unstable. The edges of the slide could still shift, which puts workers at risk. Because of this, the site is unsafe to access on foot, and heavy equipment cannot yet be used in many areas.

Engineers Study How to Rebuild

ODOT is working with geotechnical experts to better understand how this truck route failed and what it will take to rebuild it. The team is still collecting data as conditions allow, but many details remain unknown.

Once more information is available, the consultant will outline possible repair methods and estimate how long the work could take. Based on what is known so far, ODOT says fully rebuilding OR 229 is likely to take years.

No Local Detour

There is currently no local detour for this damaged truck route. OR 229 remains completely blocked in the slide area, and drivers cannot pass through.

ODOT has developed a long-term detour plan and is reviewing short-term options. Crews are installing detour signs, and updated travel information will be posted on TripCheck.com once that work is finished.

For now, trucks must use U.S. 101 to travel around the closure. This coastal highway adds miles and time for freight moving through Lincoln County.

Long-Term Impact on the Oregon Truck Route Network

The loss of this truck route is affecting both local communities and the flow of freight. ODOT says reopening OR 229 will require detailed studies, engineering, funding, and construction. This process is more like building a new road than fixing an old one.

Because the ground is still unstable and the damage is severe, there is no quick solution.

Oregon’s Widespread Truck Route Landslide Risks

ODOT notes that more than 4,000 unstable slopes exist along Oregon highways. These areas pose ongoing risks to the state’s truck route network, especially during heavy rain and winter storms.

The agency continues to monitor these sites as part of its landslide and slope safety program.

What the OR 229 Closure Means for Trucking

OR 229 between Kernville and Siletz remains closed with no reopening date. The December landslide destroyed the roadway, and ODOT says repairs could take years.

For trucking operations, this means continued reliance on U.S. 101 for detours and longer travel times through western Oregon. ODOT will keep providing updates as new information becomes available.