Quartzville Back Country Byway closed due to rockslide, BLM announces
Salem, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management closed Quartzville Back Country Byway in late December 2024 due to a rockslide. The road remains closed until further notice due to debris on the road at mile marker 13. The public can expect to see closure signs posted and barricades on either side of the rockslide.
“The area is closed to protect public safety,” said Dennis Teitzel, the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Manager. “The roadway is obstructed, and the surrounding area is dangerous for drivers and the recreating public.”
BLM officials coordinated with Linn County representatives and the public to place signage. Contractors are working to clear the debris and stabilize the surrounding area. BLM officials and contractors will monitor any forecasted winter weather and continue addressing the rockslide as conditions allow. The BLM is also working to secure funding for current and future rockslide removal efforts.
The BLM maintains 13.2 miles of the Quartzville Back Country Byway. The byway connects Sweet Home with North Santiam Highway/Oregon Highway 22 near Marion Forks. Rockslides are common throughout the Coast Range due to the underlying geology. Sandstone weathers easily, and layers within the stone can fracture, leading to slides.
The closure is posted on the Quartzville Back Country Byway webpage.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.