Travelers planning to navigate the Oregon coast will need to adjust their routes as Highway 131 has been closed for emergency repair work. The closure, which affects the stretch between Oceanside and Netarts, comes after severe erosion has compromised the integrity of the road. The emergency repairs were initiated last Friday morning, with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) signaling that the road will be inaccessible until at least the first week of January 2025.
ODOT disclosed in a notification, as reported by KPTV, that the specific area of concern is at milepost 1.6 where erosion has taken a significant toll. The closure is expected to remain until ODOT can safely open a single lane to flag traffic through, projected to take place the week of January 6, 2025. Until then, should motorists need to detour to quickly reach their destinations, ODOT suggests utilizing the Cape Mears Loop Road as an alternate route.
Accompanying the announcement, ODOT shared imagery of the affected roadway on social media, illustrating the necessity of the abrupt closure. The image, as referenced by KGW, showed the road seemingly on the brink of collapse, underlying the urgency of the repairs.
The comprehensive repairs are projected to last up to 60 days, with the initial phase culminating in the reopening of a single traffic lane. Meanwhile, signals are expected to regulate the flow of vehicles through the area. An update on the situation was detailed by ODOT in a social media post, informing locals and visitors about the closure that began last Friday. Those heading toward Netarts will have to follow Highway 131, as per ODOT's instructions, while voyagers to Oceanside are advised to adhere to the signed detour via Cape Mears Loop Road.
Heads up if you're traveling to or from #Oceanside, #Netarts or #CapeMeares - we're making emergency repairs to OR 131 that requires a full road closure starting tomorrow morning, Fri, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. Full details: https://t.co/s0zC8J6mpo pic.twitter.com/2IgZUg2xwA
— OregonDOT (@OregonDOT) December 20, 2024
For further information regarding the repair work and updates on the road's status, travelers should monitor ODOT's communications and plan accordingly during this period of reconstruction.
