The Tuesday morning drive through Oregon City got ugly fast when a rockslide sent large boulders crashing onto OR 99E just north of the tunnel, shutting down traffic in both directions between Main Street and South 2nd. ODOT and Oregon City crews were dispatched to clear the debris and check the hillside, and drivers were warned to brace for detours and delays through the morning rush.
ODOT confirmed the closure and said the slide happened just north of the tunnel, according to KATU. A witness told KATU that several large boulders broke loose from the cliff and slammed into the roadway, forcing a full shutdown while crews work to clear the scene.
Exactly where the highway is blocked
The Oregon City Police Department reports that OR 99E is closed in both directions between Main Street and South 2nd after rocks were spotted near the tunnel. Crews were seen working at the site, and officials have not said when the highway will reopen, according to FOX 12.
Why this stretch is vulnerable
ODOT has long flagged the Canemah bluff above OR 99E as a rockfall risk and has planned stabilization work to cut down on future slides. The OR 99E Rockfall Improvement Project specifically targets sections just south of the tunnel for safety upgrades. This same stretch has also seen planned nighttime closures tied to Abernethy Bridge work earlier this year, which piled on to local traffic headaches, according to earlier bridge work detours.
Detours and travel tips
Drivers are being asked to steer clear of the area and use alternate routes while crews remove debris and inspect the slope. Travelers should check TripCheck or call 511 for real-time updates and detour details. Commuters are encouraged to hop onto I-205 or stick to local surface streets and build in extra travel time until the highway reopens.
This remains a developing story, with transportation officials and media on scene and watching for any changes to the reopening timeline. Cleanup and slope inspections are underway, and the closure is expected to stretch into the near term, according to FOX 12.
