I-84, OR 204, AND OR 245 ARE NOW OPEN

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, September 21st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

FREEWAY CLOSURE

UPDATE as of 10:20 p.m. ODOT now reflects that Interstate 84 in both directions, OR 204 from Elgin to Weston, and OR 245 are now open. Drive safely.

Update as of 6:11pm from ODOT

ODOT: East. Ore.:
OR 204 (Tollgate Highway), from milepost .1 in Elgin to milepost 39 in Weston, is now closed to all traffic.
I-84 remains closed both eastbound and westbound between Exit 216 (6 miles east of Pendleton) and Exit 265 near La Grande due to a multiple vehicle crash earlier this afternoon near milepost 227. The westbound highway is also closed to trucks and through traffic at Exit 302 in Baker City and Exit 374 in Ontario. This is anticipated to be a lengthy closure. OR 245 remains closed to non-local traffic. Travelers will need to wait until the freeway opens. Stay home and stay safe.

Update as of 3:51pm from ODOT

ODOT: East. Ore.: I-84 remains closed westbound between Exit 265 (5 miles east of La Grande) and Exit 216 (6 miles east of Pendleton) due to a multiple vehicle crash near milepost 227. The westbound lanes are also closed at Baker City to all traffic and closed to trucks at Exit 374 in Ontario. OR 204 (Tollgate Highway) and OR 245 remain closed (open to local traffic only).

Update as of 3:25:

From ODOT: I-84 remains closed westbound between Exit 265 (5 miles east of La Grande) and Exit 216 (6 miles east of Pendelton) due to a multiple vehicle crash near milepost 227. I-84 eastbound is also closed between Exit 265 and Exit 216. OR 204 (Tollgate Highway) and OR 245 are closed to non-local traffic, as they are not viable routes for I-84. The highway is expected to be closed for several hours.

A dashcam image of a semi on fire, which is part of the multi-vehicle incident that has shut down I-84 in Eastern Oregon. According to ODOT, there are approximately 30 vehicles involved in this crash and the closure is expected to last a couple of hours.
Photo from Lizzy Abel
*Please note the time stamp is incorrect due to the dash cam being set for Central Time not Pacific Time

Update as of 1:50pm

Current closures include

I-84 from Ontario to Baker City WESTBOUND to truck traffic

I-84 EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND between La Grande and Pendleton

OR204 Tollgate WESTBOUND AND EASTBOUND (Local freight and passenger vehicles only. No I-84 access for commercial motor vehicles)

Update as of 1:35pm: Both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-84 are closed between Pendleton and La Grande due to a large multiple-vehicle incident, early estimates are at least 30 vehicles, on Cabbage Hill. ODOT also reports that two semi trucks are on fire.

Update as of 1:20pm: I-84 is closed westbound at La Grande.

We are receiving reports from travelers in the area of a crash and possible vehicle fire on I-84 westbound near the weigh station on Cabbage Hill.

We are being told that traffic is at a standstill.

It is also being reported that there is very thick fog in that area.

We advise travelers to use extreme caution if they are traveling in that area.