Highway 138 Reopens Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
Incident: Rattle Wildfire
Released: 9/21/2008
September 21, 2008; R3-65-08
Oregon Department of Transportation announced today that
Highway 138E will reopen Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 at 1 pm.
ODOT crews worked through the weekend to clear burned timber, rocks and other debris along Highway 138, allowing the highway to open for travel.
A speed reduction from 55 mph to 45 mph will be posted along the four-mile section of highway damaged by the fire. Additional signs will be added next week warning motorists to watch for falling debris and to avoid parking on the shoulder.
"More debris is going to come down the hillside," said ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon. "We've cleared away a lot of hazard trees and tons of material that fell across the highway. But that doesn't mean there won't be more that will come down."
According to Marmon, the steep hillsides along Highway 138E pose a real challenge for maintenance crews once the rains return."All of that loose debris, ash and burned material will eventually come down," Marmon said. "We're developing plans right now to be able to respond when that event happens."
The wildfire jumped the highway between Dry Creek and Toketee (roughly 30 miles east of Glide) which led to a closure that began on Friday, Sept. 5.
Motorists can check the latest state highway conditions online at www.tripcheck.com or by dialing 511.
For more information: Jared Castle, Oregon Dept. of Transportation PIO.
Voice: (541) 957-3656
Email: Jared.B.Castle@odot.state.or.us
