Construction and Traffic Delays on Central Oregon Coast

(Florence, Oregon) – Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is estimating work on a section of problematic road near Florence should by be done by Thursday at noon, while work has already begun on bridges near Toledo, near Newport.

ODOT crews recently a set holes – or a “void” – beneath the asphalt on Highway 101 between Yachats and Florence, and immediately shut down the southbound lane to repair the problem. Repairs will continue through Thursday morning on the 200-foot stretch of road, and final repaving and project completion are now expected by noon on Thursday, July 15.

The work on U.S. 101 is at milepost 169.5, approximately nine miles north of Sea Lion Caves.

ODOT crews removing asphalt from a 200-foot long section of the highway encountered thicker than expected asphalt which slowed the removal process.

ODOT crews were attempting to grind and repave cracks in the asphalt Monday when they discovered the subsurface roadbed had eroded beneath the southbound lane. The southbound lane was immediately closed and all traffic was rerouted onto the northbound lane and controlled by flaggers.

A further inspection Tuesday indicated that the roadbed aggregate had eroded beneath the asphalt cracks, most likely during the heavy rains of winter and spring. The erosion left isolated voids of aggregate along a 200-foot long stretch of the southbound lane.

ODOT crews immediately began cutting and removing the asphalt on a 10-foot by 200-foot section of the highway. New aggregate is being put in place and the road will be repaved.

Meanwhile, traffic will be restricted to a single lane at the location and flaggers will continue to alternate travel direction.

Motorists are advised to reduce their speed in the area, drive with caution and expect 10-15 minute delays.

In Toledo, near Newport, contractors for ODOT have begun repairing four bridges on U.S. 20 between Toledo and Newport. Three of the bridges cross Beaver Creek between mileposts 3 and 4.5. The fourth bridge crosses Little Beaver Creek at milepost 5. Motorists should watch for roadside work crews and construction vehicles exiting and entering the travel lanes.

Crews will start on the westernmost bridge and work their way east. They will close one lane in each direction of U.S. 20, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday nights, as early as July 19. Residents near the work sites may hear pile driving during these hours, for no more than five consecutive nights.

Later this summer, drivers can expect full nighttime closures of U.S. 20 near the work sites. Automobile traffic will be detoured on Yaquina Bay Road and truck traffic will need to detour onto Oregon 18 and Oregon 22 to travel between Interstate 5 or Oregon 99W and U.S. 101.

ODOT awarded this $2 million bridge repair and replacement contract to M.J. Hughes Construction, Inc. The project is funded by the Oregon Transportation Investment Act and completion is expected by fall of 2011.