ODOT to begin repairing Hwy. 242

Repairs to Oregon 242 (the Old McKenzie Highway) across the Cascades began Monday, September 17.

Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be stabilizing slopes and improving drainage, thanks to an $850,000 reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration following the devastating Milli Fire of 2017.

The Milli Fire was active in and around the Three Sisters Wilderness area that adjoins the highway, destroying trees, culverts and patches of the highway surface.

Working west from the eastern entrance near Sisters toward a point near the summit, crews will work to stabilize hillsides and culverts as time and other area maintenance priorities permit. The work will occur between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Motorists interested in driving the highway should be aware that there will be delays up to 20 minutes in either direction as the workers tackle the job, which is expected to last until snow closes the highway for the winter. They are asked to watch out for work crews and travel slowly through the area. Visit

www.tripcheck.com for 24/7 road and weather conditions.