UPDATE: One lane of River Road South reopen after landslide

Cherrill Crosby and Christian Willbern, Salem Statesman Journal
Updated ·1 min read
It isn't the first time a landslide has occurred on River Road South.
It isn't the first time a landslide has occurred on River Road South.

This story was updated at 10 a.m. Thursday.

City officials reopened one lane of traffic on River Road South Thursday, following a Jan. 28 landslide that blocked both lanes.

Officials opened the southbound lane, according to the city, and flaggers will allow two-way traffic for north and southbound vehicles.

River Road South may still be congested throughout Thursday, so drivers are advised to use alternate routes if possible.

City officials expect both lanes of River Road South to be open by Thursday afternoon.

The hillsides above River Road S are prone to rockslides. This one was attributed to recent freezing and thawing weather, combined with heavy rain on Jan 27, and brought down an estimated 30 cubic yards of debris.

City spokesman Trevor Smith said the portion of the road was closed to traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians from Owens Street South to Minto-Brown Island Road South.

Smith said a geologist and members of Salem's engineering team on Monday completed their evaluation of the rock slide impacting River Road South and found the sections of loose rock on the bluff.

A contractor was secured by the city to remove the remaining debris from the hillside and was scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Rocks broke a fence during a landslide on River Road South.
Rocks broke a fence during a landslide on River Road South.

The city lists current road conditions and emergency closures at cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/traffic-road-conditions/current-road-conditions-map

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: River Road South lane reopens in Salem, Oregon