A major section of Northwest Cornell Road in Portland has been shut down after a landslide triggered a sinkhole, disrupting travel between the city and nearby Washington County.
The closure affects the stretch between Northwest Thompson Road and Skyline Boulevard, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation. While limited local access remains open for residents and businesses, officials are urging drivers to avoid the area and prepare for delays.
Conditions worsened over the weekend as heavy rain contributed to soil instability. Crews initially restricted the shoulder on Friday after debris from a landslide covered part of the roadway. By Sunday, a sinkhole had formed roughly 10 feet from the slide, forcing lane closures. By Monday, further erosion exposed deeper structural damage beneath the road surface, prompting a full shutdown.
Authorities recommend detours via U.S. 26, U.S. 30, and West Burnside Road. Drivers using alternate local routes such as Skyline Boulevard and Thompson Road are advised to proceed cautiously.
The incident is part of a wider impact from recent storms, with transportation officials responding to multiple landslides and water-related damage across the city in recent days.
Repair timelines remain uncertain and will depend on weather conditions. Officials also warned that tampering with road barricades has complicated response efforts, requiring crews to reinforce closures in some locations.
Residents can report road hazards to city maintenance crews as recovery operations continue.
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