The Department of Transportation may repair or cause to be repaired at once any state highway which has been damaged by slides, flood or other catastrophe so that the highway may be immediately reopened to traffic. To accomplish the reopening of the highway the department may, if it is deemed for the best interests of the state, proceed at once to remove the slide or to repair the damage with the department's own forces, or with other available forces. The department may cause such work to be done by contract without calling for competitive bids.
ORS 366.445