Three closures will divert Aufderheide Drive traffic

Over the next few weeks, access to some recreation sites along Auferderheide Drive will be impacted by construction work.

BLUE RIVER: The scenic byway known as Aufderheide Drive (USFS Road 19), that connects Blue River and Westfir, will be closed to through traffic for several days due to road work. The intermittent closures are scheduled to allow people to access popular sites on the weekends.

Aufderheide Road will be closed to through traffic on:

• July 23rd to July 24th, at milepost 14 to replace a culvert

• July 25th, at milepost 21 to replace a culvert

• July 30th to August 1st, at milepost 15 to fix a sinkhole

During the closures, travelers from Highway 126 will be able to reach Box Canyon and Erma Bell lakes but will not be able to reach the North Fork River. Access to Kiahanie Campground (located at milepost 20) will be dependent on where the closure is occurring at that time; it will be accessible from the north (via Blue River) every day except July 25th, when it will only be accessible from the south (via Westfir.) Travelers from Highway 58 will still be able to access the North Fork River but will not be able to access Box Canyon and Erma Bell lakes.

“We understand that the closures are an inconvenience, but if we don’t correct the problems, they will become more costly and take longer to repair,” said Zeke Langum, Roads Engineer for the Middle Fork Ranger District.

There will be a detour around the closure, however, travelers are advised that most of the detour roads are not paved and require a high clearance vehicle. Using this route adds roughly 45 minutes to the trip.

People traveling south from Blue River should take Road 1940 to Road 1929, Road 1929 to Road 1927, Road 1927 to Road 1926, and Road 1926 to Road 19.

Traveling north from Westfir, take Road 1926 to Road 1927, Road 1927 to Road 1929, Road 1929 to 1940, and Road 1940 to Road 19.

For more information, contact the Middle Fork Ranger District at 541-782-2283. You may also check for current conditions at: www.fs.usda.gov/willamette and click on Current Conditions.