U.S. Route 30 between Astoria and Clatskanie remains closed due to landslide

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Crews have started to clear a landslide that closed U.S. Route 30 late Tuesday about halfway between Astoria and Clatskanie, but the highway will remain closed at least through Thursday, the Oregon Department of Transportation said.

The highway could remain closed longer while crews clear debris and make temporary repairs, ODOT said.

"We don't have an estimate of when we can reopen the highway, so please use an alternate route if you travel between the Portland area and the north coast the next few days," ODOT said in a statement. "U.S. 26 is the best alternative, and OR 47 and 202 are options for passenger vehicles."

ODOT said drivers should refrain from using less developed roads they may find via GPS because they are considered dangerous during wintry weather and heavy rainfall.

Cherrill Crosby is the editor of the Statesman Journal. You may reach her at crosbyc@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Landslide closes U.S. Route 30 between Astoria, Clatskanie, Oregon