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OR 39: Matney Road - Merrill North City Limits
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Article Content |
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| Project Components |
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- Repave approximately 7.3 miles of OR Highway 39 between Matney Road and the north city limits of Merrill, Oregon
- Reconstruct the OR 39 and Matney Road intersection
- Replace culverts in this section of OR 39 as needed and funding allows
- Upgrade guardrails and signs to meet current standards
- Repave the approaches to the bridge at MP 12.21 to correct pavement settling
Project Information Paper Vicinity Map Reconfigured intersection at Matney Road
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| Why this project is needed |
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Cracking and rutting on OR 39 between Matney Rd and Merrill. |
OR Highway 39 is an important part of the state’s transportation system and carries a significant amount of freight and tourist traffic between Klamath Falls and the Reno, NV area. It is also an important highway for local traffic. The average daily traffic for this section of highway is approximately 4,300 vehicles. Keeping roads like OR 39 in good condition and providing for safe travel are critical parts of the mission for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Pavement
The pavement condition for this section of OR 39 is rated poor. There is extensive cracking and rutting. The last time this section was paved was in 1984. In recent years there has been extensive maintenance patching throughout the project area to preserve the surface until it could be repaved.
Matney RoadIntersection
The intersection of Matney Road and OR 39 has a significant crash history for this classification (rural arterial) of highway. There have been nine reported crashes in a 10-year period (1999-2008). About two thirds of the crashes resulted in injuries, although mostly minor injuries and no fatalities. During the period 2004-2007 the crash rates at this intersection were 3-8 times higher than the statewide average for similar sorts of highways.
The sharp, skewed angle of the intersection is the biggest safety hazard. Southbound vehicles leave the highway at a high rate of speed into a railroad crossing, and vehicles turning north from Matney Road have to look out their rear window to see opposing vehicles. Also, the roadway shoulders are narrow which limit driver options for avoiding crashes.
Culverts
There are approximately 40 culverts that pass under this section of highway. Many of these carry water for irrigating fields on either side of the highway. Most of the culverts are over 50-70 years old. ODOT is in the process of completing an inventory and will develop a list of those that need to be replaced now or in the future with another project.
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| How ODOT plans to solve these problems |
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The 7.3 mile section of OR 39 between Matney Road and Merrill will be repaved. Once paved, new high performance pavement markings including rumble strips will be installed. The approaches to the bridge at MP 12.21 will be ground out and new base material installed before being repaved. Guardrails and signs in the area will be upgraded as well.
The intersection of Matney Road and OR 39 will be reconfigured. Matney Road will be reconstructed to create a “T’ intersection with OR 39. This will provide better sight distance for drivers making turns onto OR 39. A deceleration lane will be constructed for southbound drivers making a right turn off of OR 39 onto Matney Road.
ODOT has developed a priority list of culverts that should be replaced. This project will replace as many as the project funding will support. Others will be replaced with future projects.
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| Project Timeline |
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| Milestone |
Timing |
| Final Plans |
fall 2011 |
| Contract bid let |
early 2012 |
| Construction begins |
summer 2012 |
| Constuction completed |
fall 2012 |
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| Estimated Project Cost |
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$6 million
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| Contacts |
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