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| 7/17/2006 |
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For More Information Contact:
Heidi Hiaasen, Project Communications, 541-388-6178
Julianne Repman, Public Information, 541-388-6224
ODOT Identifies Short-term Repair Needs to Water Damaged
Section of OR 140
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has identified a repair solution for a water-damaged section of OR 140, west of Klamath Falls. The highway closed in June after floodwaters from Klamath Lake submerged portions of the roadway and thousands of acres to the north after the failure of Geary Levy. The closure and subsequent emergency repairs were necessary to ensure motorist safety and continued mobility through the area.
“ODOT realizes that although we are one of the many damaged property owners in the area, we cannot wait for resolution to the question of who is responsible for correcting the damage to the roadway and surrounding properties,” said Project Manager Ron Snell. “The agency is being pro-active, on the part of Oregon taxpayers, in its efforts to recoup current and future costs for damages resulting from the levy failure.
Additionally, ODOT team members are concerned that if work does not take place soon to raise the roadway by about three feet and add permanent concrete barrier and guardrail, water levels this winter and next spring could cause portions of the road to be flood again and blowing water could create unexpected, icy, treacherous driving conditions this winter.
“OR 140 is not designed to hold back water, therefore it cannot function as a dike or dam. However, ODOT must act quickly to find a contractor by the end of summer so that ODOT can mitigate damages resulting from the levy failure and prevent , at worst, a catastrophic failure of the highway,” says Snell.
The highway is a critical lifeline for many Klamath Basin resident and business owners. Each day more than 4,000 trips are made over the damaged section of highway carrying commuters and schoolchildren, gas and groceries, and freight.
Project plans are nearing completion for the estimated $3 million project. ODOT hopes to have a contractor on board and begin construction work this summer for completion by this winter.
#ODOT##
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