McKenzie Hwy. closure sets record

Motorists only had a couple of months this year to take in the magnificent scenery along the McKenzie Highway (Highway 242).

The scenic highway was closed by the Oregon Department of Transportation on Thursday, October 28, after an autumn storm brought snow to the Sisters country.

The road was open for only 90 days, which is the shortest open period on record. The previous record was 120 days, set in 1979. The road wasn't opened until July 29 this year, a record late opening.

The highway has twice been closed earlier; in 1985 and 1979, the road closed on October 19.

ODOT closes the McKenzie Highway after about six inches of snow have fallen, according to ODOT spokesperson Laurie Gould. The agency acts early to make sure no one gets stranded in a big storm and to avoid conflicts between vehicles and snowplows on the winding, narrow road.

"A lot of equipment is so big and so wide, we can't go up and plow without going into the other lane," Gould said. "We can't risk meeting a car going the other way."