Drivers traveling between Warm Springs and the Mount Hood area should plan for significant delays through June 15 as work crews remove hazardous trees from a stretch of U.S. Highway 26.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are jointly conducting the tree removal operation along a 16-mile corridor between mileposts 71 and 87. Dead and dying trees along the highway corridor pose a collapse risk onto the roadway, prompting the joint removal effort.

What to Expect on the Road

Motorists should anticipate delays of 20 minutes or more during active work periods. Automated flaggers will signal when traffic can resume safely through the work zone.

ODOT Public Information Officer Kacey Davey advised travelers to plan ahead.

"While we aim for 20-minute windows, the road remains closed until it is confirmed safe," Davey said.

ODOT Coordinator Toby Bell at Warm Springs Junction explained the challenges involved: some heavily leaning trees must be felled directly onto the highway before they can be safely removed, requiring complete road closures during those operations.

Work Schedule

  • Active work days: Monday through Thursday
  • Work hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Weekends: The corridor is clear — no delays expected Saturday and Sunday
  • Expected completion: June 15, 2026

Highway 26 through the Warm Springs Reservation is the primary route connecting Jefferson County with the Portland metropolitan area and the northern Mount Hood corridor. It is also a key artery for tribal members traveling to medical appointments, employment, and services in The Dalles and beyond.

Plan Your Trip

Travelers can check current road conditions at TripCheck.com before heading out. Delays are most likely during morning and early afternoon hours on weekdays, so those with flexibility may want to schedule travel for evenings or weekends while the work is ongoing.

The hazard tree removal is part of broader efforts to maintain safety along highway corridors on and near the Warm Springs Reservation, where dense forest and weather-related stress have left many roadside trees vulnerable to failure.