Best way to know when 242 will open?

[Chris Bailey]

I'm wondering if there's anything more/better for monitoring when Hwy 242 will be opened to cyclists? As far as I know, I just have to watch this page:

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Regions/Pages/McKenzie-Highway.aspx

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Chris Bailey (he/him)
chris....@gmail.com
@chrisrbailey

[Ian Leitheiser]

This is a classic (for me) boots-on-the-ground, tires-on-the-road resource for this topic at this time of year. Not official, but useful.

https://eurosports.us/mckenzie-pass/

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[Chris Bailey]

Thanks, that's great!

[Chris Gossard]

You can also try this https://www.blazinsaddleshub.com/mckenziepass

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[Brian Rowbotham]

I thought it was going to be under construction at not open to either car or bikes this year?

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Brian Rowbotham

[ssca...@peoplepc.com]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'open'.  I had friends ride it from the West side two weeks ago, all the way over to the Eastside snowgate and back and it was clear.

[Rick Johnson]

McKenzie Highway Pavement Preservation Construction Phase
Region 4: Central Oregon (Sisters, Deschutes, Lane)

​​​​​​​​Pavement Preservation Project along McKe​​nzie Highway (OR 242)

Schedule
Construction: March 2024 - December 2024​

After a long winter, we know everyone is anxious to head out and start recreating along this highway. Remember that when this road is closed, it is closed to everyone. This is especially important to remember this year as crews work behind the closed gates of OR 242 to make this route smoother and safer for everyone. Do not pass the closed gates, and never enter a work zone. Since crews will be working in a closed area, they may work any day of the week and heavy equipment will be on the road through the duration of the project.

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=22225



Scenic, winding McKenzie Pass Highway about to get 15-mile repaving; ODOT’s plea is for all to stay out, for safety’s sake

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The seasonally popular, winding and historic McKenzie Pass Highway (state Highway 242) is being cleared of winter snow as motorists and cyclists eager to travel it wait for the all-clear. But this year, there's more going on - a big paving project, and ODOT is pleading for everyone to stay out until they are done.

Here's Monday's message from the agency:

"As construction season ramps up, crews are setting their sights on McKenzie Pass. We will use funding from a Federal Lands Access Program grant to repave OR 242 from the junction with U.S. 20 in Sisters to the summit at Dee Wright Observatory. Improvement grants like this are critical to low-traffic volume roads like McKenzie Pass. 

"Crews are already working on early stages of the project, and travelers will notice work happening first in Sisters and progressing west up OR 242. 

"After a long winter, we know everyone is anxious to head out. Remember that when this road is closed, it is closed to everyone. Do not pass the closed gates, and never enter a work zone. This is especially important to remember this year as crews work behind the closed gates of OR 242 to make this route smoother and safer for everyone. Since crews will be working in a closed area, they may work any day of the week and heavy equipment will be on the road.

"Entering the project work zone is dangerous for you and for our crews. It can also cause delays and slow down the project timeline. Our project team is hoping to have all of the paving complete before the earliest possible opening date for the pass, the third Monday in June. Paving and project work is always weather-dependent and schedules may change."

https://ktvz.com/news/sisters/2024/03/25/scenic-winding-mckenzie-pass-highway-about-to-get-15-mile-repaving-odots-plea-is-for-all-to-stay-out-for-safetys-sake/

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[ssca...@peoplepc.com]

I don't see a date on this ODOT announcement.  All I know is that 5 or 6 Eugene friends started at McKenzie Bridge, rode up and over the summit, down to the eastside snowgate and turned around and returned and the road was clear of snow and there was no mention of construction or any signage or officials turning them away. This was about two weeks ago.

[Peter Werner]

Rumour has it ODOT does not work Fridays (and likely not on weekends)...if that is informative.

Peter

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[Rick Johnson]

McKenzie Pass Highway to reopen by July 4, ODOT says

Update 7 June 2024

The Oregon Department of Transportation announced Friday that the McKenzie Pass highway will be back open by the 4th of July due to a paving project.

https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/sisters/mckenzie-pass-repaving-closure/article_9521805c-2524-11ef-b399-4bb4e88b3169.html

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[ssca...@peoplepc.com]

Rode 242 from Sisters.  Officially it is closed at the snowgate.  Big sign saying Don't go here.  Reality is that the road is fine.  Very small amount of curbcuts and usual small potholes and a bit of gravel, no real  issues.  Not a lot of people; saw maybe 25 total going up and down.  Westside appears to have no construction going on at all.  Tomorrow would be a good day; after that, crap shoot.

[Serena Gordon]

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDOT/bulletins/3a12978

July 4th!!

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 1:13:57 PM UTC-7 chris....@gmail.com wrote:

[Paul Coughlin]

Hello Everyone, does anyone know if cyclists have been riding at least part or half of 242? 

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 1:13:57 PM UTC-7 chris....@gmail.com wrote:

[durtsurf]

I believe you can ride from the west side and back to west side.

Odot says no to that but I think that's an at your own risk kind of no.

People have been riding the east side but I really believe that's a super bad idea now. They are actually paving now. I think the east side really isn't an option till the am of July 4th. I did talk to someone at odot about this yesterday. 

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[Paul Coughlin]

Thank you!

[Matthew Slater]

Another great climb out of sisters (although harder) is three creeks. The road surface is not perfect but it’s a great climb. 

M

Matt Slater 

On Jun 19, 2024, at 8:37 AM, durtsurf <durt...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Chris Gossard]

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2024/06/19/mckenzie-pass-open-july-4/74141525007/

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