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Project-Details







Oregon 38: Scottsburg Bridge Replacement

Construction Phase

Region 3: Southwestern Oregon (Douglas)


​​​​​​​​​​This project will replace the Scottsburg Bridge, providing a wider roadway and adjusting the curves on both ends of the bridge.​​​​

Impacts

Traffic Impact

Construction is nearly complete. Traffic was moved onto the new bridge in May 2022, and work on the bridge was completed in October 2022.

However, some final work remains. Main Street is closed under the north end of the bridge. The contractor will finish reconstructing and paving Main Street between July and September 2023.



Construction cameras

Camera: Scottsburg Bridge work zone

Camera: Oregon 38 in Scottsburg

ODOT has installed two new TripCheck traffic cameras at the Scottsburg Bridge work zone. The first camera looks south at the bridge construction, the other looks east toward Scottsburg.

New photos are taken every 2-3 minutes, but you may have to refresh your browser to see the latest images.

Schedule

​The project bid on Nov. 21, 2019. Hamilton Construction was awarded the contract in December 2019. Construction began in February 2020. 

The new bridge was opened on May 25, 2022. The old bridge was removed during the summer of 2022.

Most work was completed by November 2022. However, the contractor will return to Scottsburg in the summer of 2023 to finish work on Main Street.

Details

About

This project will replace the 90-year-old Scottsburg Bridge on a nearby alignment, providing a wider roadway and adjusting the curves on both ends of the bridge to better accommodate modern traffic.

Project Map
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Location

OR 38 | Oregon 38 Bridge over Umpqua River in Scottsburg

Cost and Funding

Total funding: $42,848,000. This includes:
  • Preliminary Engineering ($2,718,000) 
  • Right of Way ($1,380,000)
  • Utility Relocation ($50,000)
  • Construction ($38,700,000)
The 2017 Oregon Legislature provided $40 million for the project.​ For more information, visit the Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017)​ page.

Contractor

Hami​lton Construction​ (Springfield, Oregon)

What Problem Will This Improve?

​Oregon 38 (Umpqua Highway) is a vital route between Interstate 5, the southern Oregon coast, and the Port of Coos Bay. Although many other bridges along Oregon 38 have been replaced, the Scottsburg Bridge remains largely unchanged since it was built. Opened in 1929, during an era when most vehicles were small and speeds low, the bridge’s narrow lanes and tight corners at both ends are not designed for modern traffic.

What is the solution?

Over the years, ODOT has focused on maintaining the existing bridge and addressing problems as they arise.
 
Fully repairing the bridge would involve repainting the green steel truss and repairing any bad steel sections, repairing and repaving the deck and replacing the deck joints, replacing the concrete railing, repairing the concrete pier caps, and strengthening the bridge to better withstand earthquakes.
 
However, such repairs wouldn’t address the more fundamental problems with the bridge—the narrow width, sharp approach curves, and low overhead clearance.

Due to the need for so many repairs and improvements to the existing structure, ODOT concluded that the construction of a new bridge is a better long-term investment. A new bridge will better accommodate modern traffic and will be more likely to withstand a large earthquake or other natural disaster. 
 
As a result, ODOT is designing a replacement bridge that meets modern standards. The new bridge will be constructed just downstream of the existing structure, allowing the old bridge to carry highway traffic while construction is underway. Due to the cost of maintaining two structures, the old bridge will be removed after the new one is opened.
 
Construction, including demolition of the old bridge, will continue for three years.​​


Additional Information

​Open Houses: Two public open houses were held in Scottsburg for this project: January 11, 2017 (displays) and August 20, 2019 (displays).

Project updates: ODOT will notify the public prior to any road closures or other major traffic impacts. Visit our GovDelivery page to sign up for e-mail updates​​.


Contacts & Media

Image Gallery

Project Contact

Public Information Officer
Dan Latham
Email
Dan.Latham@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
541-817-5200

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Last Updated

1/24/2024 3:57 PM

Project Number

18578

Project Documents

Related documents to this project
R3-ScottsBridge-MAP.jpgMap of project area (August 28, 2019)
R3-ScottsBridge-INFO.pdfProject information sheet (October 4, 2019)
R3-ScottsBridge-OH-Displays-2017.pdfOpen House project displays (Jan. 11, 2017)
R3-ScottsBridge-OH-Displays-2019.pdfOpen House project displays (August 20, 2019)