On a drive from Sisters to Eugene last Thursday, I was surprised to see that the McKenzie Highway was still closed. Usually, the scenic route -- part of the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway -- opens in mid-June and remains open until lat
e fall.
The historic old wagon road is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike (to learn more, read my blog post detailing highlights along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway). But because the road is so narrow, so winding and so high (elevation: 5,325 feet), it's too difficult to maintain in the snowy winter months, and the snow usually lingers through spring. That means that even under the best of circumstances, folks have a fairly limited window of opportunity for exploring here.
But this year, although the east side of the highway was open briefly to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the scenic highway will remain closed until mid-August. The reason: ODOT is wrapping up its three-year, $3.8 million dollar project to repair bridges and repave 15 miles of the highway (also known as Route 242 or Highway 242). Let's hope that next year, the route will revert to its normal schedule.
About the Author:
Lisa Broadwater is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Redmond and Bend. If you'd like to learn more about Central Oregon, please visit www.CentralOregonHome4You.com.
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