By Bryan Dorr
Sep. 30, 2007, 7:05 PM PDT
bdorr@bjdorr.com

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will close Highway 35 at milepost 62 near Mt. Hood from Monday, October 1 at 5 a.m. and reopen on Wednesday, October 3 at 8 p.m. to install a culvert pipe at milepost 62 near White River Bridge.

ODOT is installing the pipe to allow additional water drainage during the strong storms that would otherwise flow over the highway surface.

On November 5, 2006, a strong storm system dumped heavy rain into the area, causing mudslides and washouts that seriously damaged the highway and some abrasion damage to the White River Bridge.

Highway 35 connects Government Camp along U.S. 26 near Mt. Hood with Hood River to the north and I-84. The closure is south of the Mt. Hood Meadows interchange on Highway 35.

ODOT has suggested detours for getting around the highway closure:

Motorists traveling from Hood River to Government Camp or U.S. 26:
• I-84 westbound to Troutdale to U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway)
• I-84 eastbound to The Dalles to Highway 197 southbound to Highway 216 westbound to U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway)

Motorists traveling from Government Camp or U.S. 26 to Hood River:
• U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway) westbound to Troutdale to I-84 eastbound to Hood River
• U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway) eastbound to Highway 216 eastbound to Highway 197 northbound to I-84 westbound to Hood River

Travelers can check on the highway closure updates at www.tripcheck.com or call the Oregon road report at 511 or (800) 977-6368.