UPDATE: Highway 6 in Oregon Coast Range Open After Sinking, Traffic Delays

Published 11/22/24 at 3:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Hillsboro, Oregon) – UPDATE: PATCHED UP AND BACK OPEN AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. ODOT's David House said they will be checking it closely.

Traffic to the north Oregon coast is a bit slowed down for awhile after Highway 6 between Hillsboro and Tillamook had part of the road sink and become dangerous. It is currently down to one lane only with flaggers directing traffic. (Photo courtesy ODOT)

It happened near milepost 35 in the Gales Creek Campground area.

According to ODOT, the incident started happening Wednesday when road crews made some repairs after heavy rains caused part of the grade to sink. Traffic was being diverted during that road work, which finished just before 4 p.m.

However, shortly after the road sank suddenly, creating a giant crack next to the highway. This caused traffic to once again be slowed or even shut down. Geologists were brought in to asses the situation.

The westbound lane is currently closed. ODOT's David House said there is still no ETA on when repairs will be finished. It is expected to last well beyond Thursday.

If you're heading to the north Oregon coast via Highway 6 be aware of delays. Check tripcheck.com before heading that way in case of other incidents, and be sure to slow down around workers on the road.

More on Highway 6 Safety

Starting around 2020, Highway 6 became the scene for too many traffic fatalities. This 49-mile stretch of North Oregon Coast Range grew rather dangerous after the pandemic.

In 2022, ODOT added more signage along the highway. New 45 mph advisory speed signs and signs designating dangerous curves were implemented, especially those with poor visibility where there are school bus stops nearby. New speed signage is found at milepost 36 and a bumpy section of OR 6. ODOT also added signs posting the CB channel used by school bus operators, a way for truckers to better connect with those buses and be aware of their location.

In 2021, seven people lost their lives on this highway, ODOT said, the last one occurring on Halloween. That is the same total of deaths during the entire five-year period between 2016 and 2020. All were due to lane changes, ODOT said.

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Photos courtesy ODOT

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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.

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