Oregon Coast Range Highway Gets Emergency Work After Numerous Mishaps

Published 03/28/25 at 7:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – The road to Seaside, Cannon Beach, Astoria and Manzanita will get sizably safer after Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews have begun some emergency work on Highway 26. A section of road close to the junction of the north Oregon coast's Highway 101 has been raised up and cracked by recent landslide activity and has caused innumerable vehicles to not only catch air but some have even been severely damaged. (Photos and video Angi D Wildt Gallery)

Wednesday, ODOT started an urgent work project on what is known as “the bump” at milepost 13, dismantling large amounts of pavement to utilize an emergency and temporary fix on the issue.

Mindy McCartt, a spokesman for ODOT, told Oregon Coast Beach Connection the quick fix involves turning the section of roadway back into gravel because the landslide problem is causing water to pool up under the pavement. The result is the road to buckling upwards instead of dipping down as most such situations do.

The rapid-paced work went on Wednesday and Thursday, but pauses Friday for spring break traffic through the weekend, with crews returning after. While it is a four-lane section, it is down to two lanes as dismantling work goes on along with a strict speed limit of 25.

“They won’t be on-site Friday but will return next week,” McCartt said. “All asphalt removal will be done by the end of next week, followed by rock placement on the leveled area. The 25-mph speed advisory will remain in effect until repaving can be completed after drainage repairs.”

Motorists could not safely go past 25 mph in the first place because of the bump. Even at the posted warning speed limit of 25 vehicles were getting airborne, with some sustaining considerable damage. In spite of all the warning signs on the highway and bulletins from ODOT, it was difficult for many drivers to slow down in time. See original coverage 'Bump' on Highway 26 to Oregon Coast Causing Damage, Hazards. Major Action Taken

Wednesday morning, McCartt told Oregon Coast Beach Connection they had been considering tearing out the asphalt and leaving just a gravel area to keep the landslide water from pooling up and creating the giant bump. During that conversation ODOT moved swiftly to the area and began removing the roadway.

“There will be a gravel surface for an undetermined period,” McCartt said later on Wednesday. “We’re evaluating underground drainage improvements this spring, and the section may remain gravel for some time to prevent water from pushing the asphalt upward.”

During the work there will be additional traffic slow-down methods implemented. Once it's done, you'll still need to keep things slow on this section towards the Oregon coast.

“No lane restrictions once the gravel is in place, but the 25-mph speed advisory will remain,” McCart said.

There will not be a large degree of new warnings for the area. Drivers will have to be extra careful to and from the beaches.

Highway 26 is the most-traveled of coastal routes, also providing the main road to Rockaway Beach, Garibaldi and often all the way down to Tillamook.

“We’ve posted bump warning signs, variable message signs (VMS), and updated TripCheck to alert drivers,” McCartt said. “Ultimately, we need motorists to take responsibility for their safety and others by slowing to the posted 25 mph limit.”

Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours

Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted