Now You Can Track Landslide Work on Oregon Coast's Hwy 229

Published 03/19/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – Work continues on a backroad in Lincoln County that saw one of the most devastating landslides in state history. And it looks like it will continue a lot longer. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), however, said they now have a website to keep track of the project. (Photo Jenny Nelson)

OR 229 remains closed between mileposts 14 and 15 from Kernville to Siletz after a massive Dec. 12, 2025 landslide wiped out a substantial section of the highway, ODOT said. The route will stay shut down indefinitely as crews continue monitoring the unstable slope and begin planning for a full rebuild.

A new OR 229 Landslide information page has been launched to give residents and travelers a central source for updates. The site outlines the history of the slide, current monitoring work, detour guidance, and what will be required to reconstruct the damaged highway.

Detour signs are now in place along the designated alternate route along this part of the central Oregon coast. With no local detour available between Kernville and Siletz, drivers should expect longer travel times and plan accordingly.

“Water continues to be one of the biggest challenges at the site and is a key factor affecting progress,” ODOT said. “Saturated ground conditions limit safe access and increase the risk of additional movement around the edges of the slide.”

Photos of the area show some progress, however, such as this shot from Angi D Wildt Gallery in Astoria.

Engineers and geotechnical specialists are working with partner agencies to investigate the area and track slope activity. Once conditions stabilize, crews hope to install subsurface instruments to measure soil and rock movement and monitor groundwater levels, which play a major role in landslide behavior. See more video Oregon Coast's OR229 Shut Down Indefinitely by Severe, Chasm-like Landslide - Video:

The slide destroyed roughly 1,000 feet of roadway and remains highly complex. Some sections shifted in large blocks, while others moved more like a debris flow due to heavy water content. Because the ground is still unstable, the area is unsafe for full on-the-ground assessments.

The highway is a little ways inland from Lincoln City, and does not affect general traffic for visiting the coast. However, it is vital for some residents in the areas around Depoe Bay, Lincoln City and Newport.

Officials say the closure is having a significant impact on nearby communities and travelers. Reopening OR 229 will require far more than clearing debris; the damage and instability mean the project will resemble building an entirely new road, involving extensive investigation, design work, funding, and construction.

Agencies will continue monitoring conditions and will release additional updates as new information becomes available.

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