The Oregon Department of Transportation will be replacing two culverts under U.S. 395 (John Day-Burns Highway) in November.
The Sheep Gulch Culvert near mile post 6.1-C and the Vance Creek Culvert near mile post 11-C are insufficient to handle water and debris flows anticipated due to erosion issues left after the Canyon Creek Complex Fire that burned through the area in August and September. The U.S. Forest Services is estimating a 100 to 650 percent increase in water and debris flow along several creeks that drain off the mountainside into Canyon Creek and other local tributaries. The project will replace the culverts with new structures that are designed to accommodate the anticipated flows. These culverts need to be replaced immediately.
To facilitate the project U.S. 395 will be closed between mile post 2.5-C and 17-C for about 10 days beginning Nov. 4, followed by several days of single lane travel controlled by pilot cars and flaggers while crews continue the work. ODOT will work with local fire/emergency service providers, private property owners and others needing access between the two work sites to help accommodate critical needs as much as possible during the closure.
