A landslide on North Fork Road near milepost 4.5 slammed the brakes on traffic Monday morning, blocking both lanes and turning a key rural Santiam Canyon route into a dead end. Marion County personnel moved in quickly, with public works crews dispatched to clear debris and size up the stability of the hillside. Officials are telling drivers to steer clear of the area and stick to alternate routes while the cleanup continues, and say more information will be released as it becomes available.
Officials and crews on scene
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office shared photos and an advisory on Facebook confirming that "both lanes are affected" and warning drivers to "avoid the area and use alternate routes." The post notes that county personnel are already on scene and public works crews are on the way, with the agency promising to push out updates as soon as it has them. See the original advisory from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Slide part of a long-running problem
North Fork Road is no stranger to slides and storm damage, and Marion County has been working on a long-running slide stabilization plan for the corridor. The county's public works project page details a "Slide 2" repair effort and notes that construction is planned for the 2026 season. For background on the planned repairs, visit Marion County Public Works.
What motorists and residents should expect
County procurement postings show Marion County solicited bids this winter for substantial earthwork and embankment on Slide 2, a reminder that stabilizing the slope will involve heavy construction and will not be a quick fix. The Santiam Canyon has also been the focus of federal recovery dollars for infrastructure and park repairs after the 2020 wildfires, which officials say will help support long-term solutions along the corridor. Read local reporting from the Statesman Journal and see the county's bid summary on GovTribe.
How to stay updated
Officials say they will post more information as the situation develops, and residents and travelers are urged to keep an eye on the Marion County Sheriff's Office Facebook feed and the county's recovery pages for the latest closure details and safety notices. Marion County's wildfire recovery page notes ongoing access restrictions and reconstruction work in the North Fork corridor that may affect both travel and park access. For updates, see the sheriff's post and the county recovery page: Marion County Sheriff's Office and Marion County Wildfire Recovery.
