SISTERS, OR -- State transportation officials closed McKenzie Pass, Tuesday. The seasonal closure was prompted by winter weather expected to hit the region, this week.
ODOT’s Peter Murphy tells KBND News, "We were told there would be probably about 6-12” of snow by the time this storm is over. That’s kind of our trigger: when there’s 6” of snow and it’s snowing, game over. We’ll have to say goodbye to McKenzie Pass this year and hope for it next year."
Historic McKenzie Pass, also known as Highway 242, has closed as early as mid-October. The scenic and winding roadway is scheduled to reopen the third Monday in June. "People come from all over the country to go there," says Murphy. "And if we can say ‘well, at this point in time it will be open,’ it helps everybody plan."
Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road are scheduled to close for the season, Thursday.
