Work on Oregon Coast, Hwy 101 Continue as Slide Spots Continue to Act Up

Published 10/22/2026 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) - Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is saying constant vigilance is still required on numerous highway areas along Highway 101 and the passes to and from. There are problem areas that don't let up, and ODOT has to go into action during the wetter seasons and keep a close eye on them. (Beverly Beach / ODOT)

So continue to be cautious on these road and don't be surprised to be surprised by road issues when rains return.

“Ancient landslides, or could it be...ancient aliens??,” the agency said on social Wednesdau, with a bit of humor. “It's definitely ancient landslides but some of y’all act like MIB erased your memory card each year when the rainy season arrives.”

Some issues do not go away.

Along Oregon’s coast and Coast Range, rain soaks into the ground, increasing movement beneath the road.

“We’ve identified more than 4,000 unstoppable slopes, landslides, debris flows and rockfalls across our state highways,” ODOT said.

They provided a list of rather intense issues that are ever-present:

The Bump (and graphic) courtesy ODOT

Recent maintenance work highlights the challenge. Crews spent the past two weeks repairing recurring problem areas on U.S. 101 near Beverly Beach State Park, OR 18 at Murphy Hill and the well-known and seemingly insidious "Bump" on U.S. 26.

On U.S. 101 north of Newport and along OR 18, crews ground down uneven pavement caused by shifting ground to improve driving conditions. ODOT said neither location required repaving.

Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic   |    Portland, Oregon Traffic, Road Conditions - Traffic Cams: I-5 - I-205 - I-405 - Hwy 217 - I-84 - Highway 26 Beaverton     |   Willamette Valley / Salem Traffic

“Our maintenance crews tried a new drainage approach at the U.S. 26 'Bump' near MP 13, where an active landslide continues to shift the road,” ODOT said.

They said six dry wells, each 10 to 15 feet deep, were installed to help collect and direct water into existing drainage systems. The wells were lined with filtering fabric and filled with rock and gravel to keep water flowing while allowing the repair to flex as the ground moves.

The area was then paved with cold-mix asphalt, which remains more flexible than traditional pavement and may help limit cracking caused by shifting ground. ODOT plans to monitor the site throughout the rainy season to determine whether the drainage improvements reduce water reaching the road surface and slow ground movement.

Transportation officials emphasized that while maintenance can smooth roads and improve drainage, it does not stop the underlying landslides from moving. As a result, many of Oregon's coastal and mountain highways will continue to require regular monitoring and repairs.

Maybe Ancient Aliens wasn't such a great analogy. Perhaps it's more like that '70s horror flick The Sentinel: watching Oregon's slide-prone highway hillsides is eternal.

ODOT officials said the repairs are funded through the agency's maintenance and operations budget. The recurring U.S. 26 "Bump" alone costs about $200,000 each year to maintain. While a larger project aimed at addressing the underlying landslide would likely cost millions of dollars, extensive planning, environmental reviews and construction would still not guarantee a permanent solution because the highway sits atop an ancient, active slide. ODOT currently has no funding identified for long-term fixes at the three locations.

“These repairs are just a few examples of the proactive work ODOT maintenance crews do to prepare for winter rain and snow,” ODOT said. “Crews also sweep roads, maintain signs, clean culverts, clear ditches and remove hazardous trees. Keeping drainage paths clear helps water flow away from roads, while other maintenance helps keep routes clear and signs visible for travelers.”

ODOT is also reminding drivers to use caution in work zones. Maintenance crews often work just feet from moving traffic, and motorists are urged to slow down, stay alert and give workers plenty of room while traveling through construction and maintenance areas.

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