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5/13/2005
Central Oregon Road Construction
UPDATE: Week of May 13th
 
For more information contact:
Heidi Hiaasen, ODOT Project Communications, 541-388-6178
Julianne Repman, ODOT Public Information, 541-388-6224
 
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is continuing to invest in Oregon’s future with roadway improvement projects throughout Oregon’s central region (ODOT Region 4). ODOT is committed to providing safe, efficient transportations systems. The following projects reflect ODOT’s commitment to make improvements as traffic numbers rise and to make the roadways safer and more efficient for drivers:
CROOK COUNTY
US 26 (Ochoco Highway),
MP 4.5 – MP 5.83, Near Powell Butte
Traffic has been switched to the newly paved section, with one lane open in each direction. Expect minimal delays. Motorists are advised to be aware of trucks hauling rock in the construction area.
 
By late summer, motorists traveling on Oregon 126 between Redmond and Prineville will be able to pass more safely using newly constructed passing lanes.  This will be the second set of passing lanes constructed on the highway in as many years.
 
DESCHUTES COUNTY
OR 126, (McKenzie Highway), MP 111.07 – MP 111.41
, Redmond
Contractor crews continue waterline, sewer line and storm drain installation outside the travel lanes of OR 126 (Highland Avenue) this week. This work is not expected to impact highway traffic but may cause intermittent, short-term closures of some city streets at their intersection with Highland Avenue.
 
This City of Redmond waterline and sewer line project has been combined with the ODOT storm drain installation (also a part of the OR 126: Glacier-Highland Couplet project) in the area to reduce delay and impacts to motorists. Starting Sunday, May 15,  night work will begin related to the city waterline relocation.  A rock saw will be used rather than a rotohammer to minimize noise for this activity.  Residents will be notified by HTS personnel for any limited disruption of water services that may occur. Hap Taylor and Sons, Inc. are delivering the project that is expected to continue eastbound, toward U.S. 97, in conjunction with OR 126: Glacier-Highland Couplet construction work through November 2006.
 
OR 126 (McKenzie Highway), MP 111, Redmond
Traffic is now running on new, temporary detour lanes located on the north side of OR 126 (Highland Avenue), between Rimrock Way and 15th Street.
 
Pedestrian tunnel work is expected to continue in this area through May. A section of the structure will be set on Friday, May 30.  Motorists should expect some lane closures and minimal delays throughout the day on Highland Avenue. The area will be controlled by flaggers. The new pedestrian tunnel will connect Sam Johnson Park with the future Ray Johnson Park to the south.
 
ODOT crews remind pedestrians that a portion of paved footpath located near the construction area has been removed to facilitate construction activities.  Pedestrians are advised to seek alternate routes around the area during this construction closure.
 
OR 126 (McKenzie Highway), MP 111, Redmond and Glacier Avenue, Redmond
Contractors working for Pacific Power and Light Company are continuing installation of new power poles on the south side of OR 126 (Highland Avenue) between Rimrock Way and 13th Street this week.
 
Crews are also installing new power poles on the north side of Glacier Avenue between 5th Street and 13th Street this week. This project is anticipated to be completed in early May.
 
US 97 (The Dalles – California Highway), MP 113.9, north of Terrebonne
Wimp Way at US 97 in Terrebonne is temporarily closed to through traffic to facilitate replacement of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad Bridge and to ensure motorist safety during construction at this intersection.  The closure of Wimp Way at US 97 is anticipated to remain in place through September. Embankment work and construction of the new bridge is underway in the work zone. Motorists are advised to use the signed detour routes to move around the area.
 
This bridge is located about one mile north of Terrebonne on US 97 at milepost 113.9.  During the first phase of construction, crews will construct a new, two-lane bridge with 10 foot shoulders to the west of the existing bridge. Traffic will remain on the existing bridge during construction.  Motorists will be routed to the new bridge in fall 2005.  Following this traffic switch, crews will remove the existing bridge.
 
Crews anticipate working Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with intermittent night and weekend work possible.
 
US 97 (The Dalles - California Highway), MP 147, south of the Bend Weigh Station
Contractor crews reduced northbound traffic to one lane on April 15, near MP 147 on US 97, to facilitate installation of the Green Light weigh-in-motion mechanism onto the roadway. Crews anticipate reopening the second northbound lane this week. Motorist should expect intermittent delays of less than five minutes through this area during the week. This project is expected to be completed by May 31.
 
Motorists are advised to slow down and be aware of construction personnel when traveling through this area. Work is expected to be completed by May 31.
 
The Green Light Program allows trucks to avoid stopping at weigh stations by collecting vehicle weight, height, identification number, and other data as they pass weigh-in-motion scales and transponder readers installed on the highway. Transponders inside the trucks transmit the vehicle ID information and then receive a ‘go’ or ‘stop’ signal from the pre-clearance system about a quarter-mile ahead of the weigh station. In most cases, the driver will get a green light, indicating they do not need to stop. A red light tells the driver to pull into the scale for a formal weigh-in.
 
Motorists are advised to slow down and be aware of construction personnel when traveling through this area.

2nd Street, Redmond
Crews have finished building a bridge over the Central Oregon Irrigation District Main Canal, north of Maple Avenue, on 2nd Street. The area is being prepared for paving.
 
This bridgework is part of a project to relocate 2nd Street to the north to facilitate construction of the new Maple-Negus Bridge. The Maple-Negus Bridge will span the future US 97: Redmond Reroute, the railroad and Canal Boulevard. ODOT’s construction of the Maple-Negus Bridge will connect up to the City’s Dry Canyon Bridge creating a new, efficient east-west arterial for the community.
 
7th Street, Redmond
Crews are working to construct the road extension between the existing 7th Street cul-de-sac and Quince Avenue. Construction activity is not expected to impact traffic.
 
Crews will extend 7th Street by 885 feet to connect Spruce Avenue with Quince Avenue in Redmond. 7th Street is being extended to increase mobility in the area once the Redmond Reroute is complete.
 
 9th Street, Redmond
JAL Construction crews continue work to extend 9th Street from Hemlock Avenue north to Negus Avenue. The extension of 9th Street will give motorists alternative accesses during construction of the Maple-Negus Bridge. The Maple-Negus Bridge will span the future US 97: Redmond Reroute, the railroad and Canal Boulevard. ODOT’s construction of the Maple-Negus Bridge will connect up to the City’s Dry Canyon Bridge creating a new, efficient east-west arterial for the community. The 9th Street extension project is expected to be completed this summer. 

GILLIAM COUNTY
OR 19, MP 15 – MP 17
, North of Condon
Contractors will perform excavation, rock blasting and bridgework this week at the Olex Highway Improvement Project. Motorists are advised to expect delays of less than 20 minutes when traveling through the work zone this weekMotorist movements will be controlled by flaggers. The posted construction speed is 25 mph in this work zone.
 
The Olex Highway Improvement Project replaces a failing 82-year-old bridge that is often impassable due to flooding waters, straightens out a hairpin curve and widens portions of Oregon Highway 19 (John Day Highway).
 
The existing roadway is steep and narrow with several sharp curves and limited sight distance resulting in restricted freight access to the area. The realignment of the highway in this area will increase the trucking industry’s ability to transport goods and services to Gilliam County and the community of Condon from the I-84 corridor.

JEFFERSON COUNTY
US 97 (The Dalles – California Highway), MP 92 and US 26 (Warm Springs Highway), MP 116,
Madras
 
Hap Taylor and Sons crews will continue to work this week on the storm sewer, water and sewer lines on the west side of Highway 97 at MP 92 in Madras.  
 
Crews are working to replace the northbound US 97 (Fifth Street) Willow Creek Bridge structure and construct a retaining wall between the Fourth Street and Fifth Street bridges.  A segmental block retaining wall will be constructed on Sixth Street to minimize right of way impacts.
 
Additionally, the US 97/US 26 Willow Creek Bridge - Depot Road Project will reconfigure and signalize the intersection of US 97 and US 26 near the north city limits of Madras. This project provides safety and enhancement improvements in the City of Madras on US 26 / US 97 from the existing Willow Creek Bridges (MP 92.12) to the intersection of N.E. Plum Street (MP 91.84) and pavement improvements on U.S. 26 between N.E. Plum Street and N.E. Depot Street (MP 116.80).
 
US 26 (Warm Springs Highway), MP 116.36 – 116.80, West of Madras
Wildish Standard Paving Company is working to replace the existing, three lane Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Road Bridge, west of Madras, with a new, wider, three-lane Bridge. Northbound traffic on US 97 near Madras will be reduced to one lane on Tuesday, May 17 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews work to switch traffic to an adjacent, temporary bridge structure. Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 15 minutes during this traffic switch. Motorists will remain on the detour during the construction period while crews demolish the existing structure and build a new one. 
 
Construction activities will take place in the area Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with intermittent night and weekend work possible. Motorists can expect delays of less than 15 minutes when traveling through this work zone. This project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2005. 
 
The northbound lanes were reduced from two to one on January 20.  Reduction of the lanes allowed crews to begin demolition of the east side of the existing bridge.  Northbound traffic will remain in one lane until the completion of the new bridge in fall 2005. 
 
KLAMATH COUNTY
US 97 (The Dalles-California Highway), MP 183
, North of Gilchrist
Contractor crews switched traffic to the detour structure and demolished the bridge at MP 183 north of Gilchrist on US 97.  Motorists will use the temporary detour as crews construct a new bridge at this location. 
 
Crews anticipate working Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with intermittent night and weekend work possible. Motorists can expect delays of less than 5 minutes when traveling through this work zone
 
The Crescent Connection bridge project is located approximately one mile north of Gilchrist on US 97. Crews will replace the existing two-lane bridge will a new two-lane structure and plan to finish during August 2005.
 
US 97 (Dalles - California Highway), MP 200.3 - 202.3, North of Chemult
JAL Construction crews are continuing shoulder and paving work, weather permitting, on the new passing lanes north of Chemult. Work is expected to take place Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with some intermittent night and weekend work.  Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures of up to 10 minutes. In the event night work is required, flaggers will control motorist’s movement. Crews anticipate opening the new road to traffic on June 3, weather permitting. 
 
US 97 (Dalles-California Highway), MP 201.64-202.34, North of Chemult
Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) crews have completed the relocation of communication lines in the area. Contractor crews have returned to the area to resume work to replace the UPRR Bridge. Work is expected to take place Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with intermittent night and weekend work possible. 

US 97, (Dalles – California Highway), MP 240.55 to MP 267.08 Spring Creek Hill to North Shady Pine Road Bridge Work, North of Klamath Falls
Contractors working for the Oregon Department of Transportation anticipate performing bridgework the Spring Creek Hill to North Shady Pine Road bridgework area this week, weather permitting.  Motorists can expect minor delays. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers as needed.
 
Crews are working to repair or replace the Spring Creek Bridge (US 97, MP 244), North Chiloquin Interchange Bridge (US 97, MP 247.54), Barkley Springs Irrigation Canal Bridge (US 97, MP 263.11), and Algoma Log Pond Bridge (US 97, MP 265.65).
 
US 97 (The Dalles – California Highway), MP 274.73, Klamath Falls
Traffic is reduced to one lane through the U.S. 97 California Avenue Bridge (MP 274.7) project and controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Contractor crews are working on the new bridge structure. Traffic is not expected to be impacted. The posted 35 mile per hour (MPH) work zone speed limit will be strictly enforced.
 
California Avenue is currently closed to through traffic between North 1st Street and Conger Avenue to facilitate construction of the new bridge. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes around the area. Additionally, Klamath Basin Transit will reroute bus service around the work area and temporarily remove two bus stops on California Avenue between North 1st Street and Conger Avenue during the road closure.
 
US 97 (Dalles - California Highway), MP 275.8, Klamath Falls
Crews from Hamilton Construction Company are working to replace the US 97 Bridge over Greensprings Drive. Traffic is moving in one lane in each direction through the work zone. The construction speed of 45 miles per hour is strictly enforced.
 
OR 140 (Lake of the Woods Highway) MP 5.51 to 25.17
 Contractor crews will be performing pipe installation work, surveying and excavation at the junction of OR 140 with OR 39 at Ritter Road in preparation of a future pavement improvement project. Flaggers will be providing traffic control when needed.  Expect up to 20 minute delays.

OR 140 (Lake of the Woods Highway), MP 50.81 to MP 57.06, at Doak Mountain, West of Klamath Falls
Contractor crews will perform excavating, embankment and pipe installation activities in the project area this week. Flaggers will provide traffic control as needed. Motorists can expect minor delays.
 
WASCO COUNTY
84, (Historic Columbia River) MP 84
, The Dalles
Traffic on I-84 has been reduced to one lane in each direction at mile point 83.5 in The Dalles. Crews anticipate performing paving, pouring the bridge deck and placing base aggregate in the project area this week. Traffic has been shifted to the newly constructed westbound lanes of the interstate to facilitate replacement of the eastbound side of the Webber Street Bridge.
 
This project is expected to be completed in May. The posted construction speed of 45 MPH is strictly enforced.
 
For local and statewide construction information visit www.tripcheck.com or dial 5-1-1.

 
Page updated: February 04, 2007

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