A number of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) projects are continuing or starting soon in the Rogue Valley area. Here is the latest information about these state projects that will help you plan your commute.
JACKSON COUNTY
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 0.0-11.4, California Border to Ashland Paving ($30.7 million)
Expect daytime shoulder and lane closures as the contractor continues work on final contract items such as installing signs, final striping and recessed pavement markers, and corrective work at the Exit 6 bridge decks.
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 11-4 (Southbound), Rock scaling project
This project involves removing loose rocks and boulders from steep slopes, preventing debris from falling into the road below and creating a hazard for motorists.
Starting Monday, August 7, motorists traveling south on I-5 between Ashland and the California border can expect delays of about 20 minutes during daylight hours (7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday to Friday. ODOT will use rolling slowdowns through the area. The work is expected to be completed in about two weeks.
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 11-19, North and south Ashland paving ($9 million)
Watch for workers and equipment Sunday through Thursday nights, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., as the contractor paves the northbound I-5 fast lane and the southbound slow lane.
The nighttime speed limit through the work zone will be 50 mph.
The project will repave this section of I-5, apply new permanent striping, and install new safety rumble strips on the shoulders. Construction will also address ramps at Exits 11, 14 and 19, as well as the Ashland Port of Entry.
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), MP 33, VMS and curve warning signs ($2.6 million)
This project will install variable message signs and curve warning signs at several locations along I-5 in Douglas and Jackson counties.
Watch for intermittent nighttime lane and shoulder closures along I-5 near milepost 33.
OREGON 66 (Greensprings Highway) over CORP railroad tracks, MP 0.73, Bridge deck rehabilitation ($2.7 million)
Watch for single-lane traffic in each direction at lane transitions over the railroad tracks until Sept. 20, then occasional lane closures for final work until Oct. 5. An ODOT contractor is rehabilitating the bridge deck for future use. Watch for workers and traffic control signs.
OREGON 99 (Rogue Valley Highway), MP 0.4 to 1.6, Interstate 5 to Scenic Avenue improvement project, Central Point ($3.5 million)
Watch for workers installing signs along the roadway.
Because of delays by the railroad contractor, the traffic signals will not be turned on until the new railroad signals are operational, which could be later this summer. Until then, traffic control at Scenic legs will continue to be provided by a stop sign.
Watch for shoulder closures and watch for construction workers and equipment.
The work zone speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph for worker safety.
This safety project constructs new signals, ADA compliant curb ramps, upgrades the existing railroad crossing and paves, restripe the project area.
OREGON 99 (Rogue Valley Highway), MP 10.2 to 11, Glenwood to Coleman Creek utility work
Watch for possible single-lane traffic, Monday through Friday, as utilities are relocating their lines, wires and pipes out of the right of way for a 2024 improvement project.
OREGON 99 (Rogue Valley Highway), MP 14.39, Wagner Creek Bridge strengthening project, Talent ($335,000)
Watch for single-lane traffic Monday-Friday through Sept. 15. Watch for nighttime lane closures in September.
Contract crews will be strengthening the bridge to allow heavier loads, including emergency service vehicles, to use the bridge.
OREGON 140 (Lake of the Woods Highway), MP 1.03, Turn lanes at Lakeview Drive ($1.7 million)
No traffic impacts are expected this week. Remaining work, scheduled for September, includes seeding the area.
This project constructs center turn lanes from Oregon 140 onto Lakeview Drive.
OREGON 234 (Sams Valley Highway), MP 16, Dodge Bridge painting ($5.8 million)
Watch for single-lane traffic with flaggers, Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., for bridge maintenance and painting.
S. VALLEY VIEW ROAD (Ashland), Bear Creek Bridge bearing replacement ($184,000)
This project, located on South Valley View Road near the Oregon 99 intersection, will provide repairs to the Bear Creek Bridge. Most work will take place under the bridge.
On South Valley View Road, motorists can expect intermittent nighttime delays up to 20 minutes over the bridge during the second half of August. This work will likely take place between 8 p.m. and midnight.
On the Bear Creek Greenway, pedestrians, bicyclists and other travelers should watch for construction activity under the bridge.
JOSEPHINE COUNTY
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), Exit 58, north Grants Pass, Seismic bridge improvements and retrofitting ($12.7 million)
Watch for possible shoulder closures under the I-5 Exit 58 bridges through Sept. 7. The contractor is strengthening these bridges to better withstand earthquakes.
This is part of a larger seismic reinforcement project in southern Oregon.
INTERSTATE 5 (Pacific Highway), Hillcrest Road Bridge, north Grants Pass, seismic bridge improvements and retrofitting ($5 million)
The Hillcrest Road undercrossing is now open. Expect daytime shoulder and lane closures as the contractor continues work on final contract items through Sept. 7. The undercrossing will close again on Nov. 1 for additional seismic bridge strengthening through the winter and spring.
OREGON 46 (Caves Highway), MP 15.8 to 19.9, Highway improvements ($3.5 million)
Watch for single-lane traffic and expect delays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Flaggers will provide traffic control as needed.
This project will repave the highway and make improvements, such as adding retaining walls, guardrails and drainage. Construction is scheduled for completion Oct. 19.
U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway), MP 6.5-41.7, Applegate River to California border safety improvements ($6.7 million)
This project will pave the highway between Cave Junction and O’Brien (MP 29.4-36) and apply a chip seal from O’Brien to the California border (MP36-41.6). The project will also add center-line and shoulder rumble strips and install new speed-feedback signs for traffic approaching Selma and Kerby. Project website.
For the weeks of August 13-18 and August 20-25, most work will focus on the area between Cave Junction and the California border. This will involve nighttime grinding and paving between Cave Junction and O’Brien, and a daytime chip seal between O’Brien and the border. Other work in this area will involve electrical lines and installation of safety features.
From Sunday night to Friday morning each week (August 13-18 and 20-25), watch for day and night lane closures and traffic congestion between Cave Junction and the California border. Flaggers and pilot cars will provide traffic control. Motorists should expect delays up to 20 minutes. Since chip seals can result in loose rock on the roadway, motorists should slow down, drive with caution, and allow extra space between vehicles.
Source: ODOT
