BE AWARE ! Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties State Highway Construction Update

Motorists are advised to BE AWARE! of certain ongoing road construction projects throughout Western Oregon.

BE AWARE! while driving in construction areas. Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Transportation wants you to BE AWARE ! of road construction projects taking place this week in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

Highway construction projects that will make a big difference to the future needs of Oregon motorists continue to cause delays, and highway officials say the continued help fom drivers in avoiding affected areas and taking alternate routes when possible is appreciated.

I-5: N. Santiam Kuebler Boulevard (Salem)

(I-5 exit 253 to exit 249 South Salem)

Watch for roadside construction work on I-5 around the clock with nighttime lane closures and detours for local streets and roads.

Marietta Street under I-5 is closed for bridge construction, with no through traffic between Kuebler Boulevard and Fairview Industrial Drive.

Turner Road has occasional daytime lane closures with traffic controlled by flaggers. Use alternate local routes.

OR 22: North Santiam Highway Bridge Replacement Project

(North Santiam Highway 22 milepost 60.00 76.00 Approx. 10 miles east of Detroit)

The contractor replaced the existing Whitewater Creek, Marion Creek, Pamelia Creek and North Santiam River bridges and established traffic on these new structures. The bridges are within a 17 mile stretch of Highway 22 (MP 60 - MP 76).

Work on this project has been completed, with the exception of some minor repair work that will happen under more conducive weather conditions.

US 20: Lake Creek Bridge Replacement Project

(Santiam Highway, Hwy. US 20 milepost 87)

This project is replacing Lake Creek Bridge near the entrance to Suttle Lake.

Special permits are required for over width vehicles. All annually permitted over-width loads are directed to use Highway 58.

Work is temporarily shutdown on this project due to prolonged snow accumulation. Work is expected to resume as forecasts and conditions improve.

OR22 @ OR99W & OR223 Interchange (Rickreall) Sections

Willamina Salem (milepost 15.03 to 16.62), Pacific Highway West (milepost 57.03 to 57.87) & Dallas Rickeall Highway (milepost 3.50 to 4.18)

This interchange project is funded by the Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA).

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the construction of two bridges that will eliminate the current "at grade" crossings at the intersections of OR22 & 99W and OR22 & OR223. In addition, a new traffic signal will be added to the intersection of Rickreall Road and Highway 99W. These major portions of the work will improve traffic flow, as well as overall public safety.

The most significant change, or impact to the public, is the immediate and permanent loss of on-street parking on the east side of OR99W between Church Street and Pageant Street.

At the intersection of OR99W & Rickreall Road, the radii of the intersection will be widened to accommodate new left-turn lanes on OR99W for both northbound and southbound traffic. In addition, the existing flashing beacon will be removed and replaced with a new signalized system that will control the traffic movements. This traffic control change will improve the safety of the intersection and the overall flow of the traffic. The improvement and modernization of this intersection is necessary to provide OR223 (Dallas - Rickerall Hwy.) traffic with a means to access OR99W.

When the project is completed, motorists traveling eastbound out of Dallas on OR223 that want to travel either northbound or southbound on OR99W, will need to use Rickreall Road.

Motorists should expect daytime delays on OR223 (Dallas Rickreall Hwy.) and OR99W from the intersection of Rickreall Road to OR22.

OR 18: Oldsville Road Ash Road
(Salmon River Highway from milepost 40.4 to milepost 50.1)

Highway 18, Salmon River Highway, beginning at Oldsville Road west of McMinnville, and ending at Ash Road, west of Dayton.

Work on this project has been completed, with the exception of some minor repair work that will be done when the weather conditions are more favorable for this type of work.

OR 22: Fir Grove Lane Gun Creek

(North Santiam Highway from milepost 16.8 to milepost 26.0 and from milepost 38.5 to milepost 39.6)

Highway 22, North Santiam Highway, beginning at Fir Grove Lane, west of Mehama, and ending at Gun Creek, just east of Little Sweden area, near Big Cliff Dam.

The project is asphalt repaving, striping, guard railing, signing and providing other safety improvements. This work is scheduled to begin Monday, with the installation of guardrail flares. Most of the work will be done at night, dependent on weather.

Motorists should use caution, allowing for shoulder work and work at several major intersections in the Mehama and Little North Fork Santiam area.