Highway updates

Two major highway projects are underway in the vicinity of Cedar Mill. Many of us have to navigate around these projects daily. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) website has weekly updates on all their roadwork in Region 1 if you want to keep up with it. oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/ProjectPage.shtml

Highway 26

ODOT recently issued a newsletter on the Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) project containing this information. Download the PDF newsletter here.

Winter 2011: Work will be primarily building the new retaining wall on the north side of U.S. 26 at Bronson Creek. Due to the wet weather, work on the widening portion of the project will be halted until the spring. The excavation and embankment that needs to be built to support the new travel lanes cannot be built in the rain.

Spring 2011 through summer 2012: The contractor will excavate and build the embankment for the new travel lanes, construct the storm water system, and perform final paving, striping, cable barrier installation and landscaping. There will be concrete barrier along the right edge of the highway in both directions until the new lanes open. The new third lane in each direction will be open in fall 2011. Final paving, striping and cleanup work will be complete in summer 2012.

Traffic Impacts

There will be a mix of daytime work behind barriers and nighttime work with lane closures. During nighttime work, motorists will experience single and double lane closures on the highway and ramps starting as early as 9:30 pm. The majority of the work will take place during daytime hours. Motorists should be aware of trucks entering and exiting the work zone. oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/US26_Mod/index.shtml

Highway 217

From the weekly update: Currently, only one lane connects Highway 217 northbound to U.S. 26 eastbound. Motorists must use the right lane to travel to U.S. 26 eastbound. Motorists traveling in the center lane of Highway 217 northbound will not be able to access U.S. 26 eastbound. The center lane will now only continue north to Barnes. These new lane configurations will be in place for the duration of the project.

The contractor will work on concrete barriers and sign bridges during the week. This work requires nightly single lane closures on Highway 217 in both directions from 7 pm to 5 am.

The contractor narrowed the SW Park Way on-ramp to U.S. 26 eastbound. Although the ramp is narrow, it will remain open. The contractor is working to lengthen the Wilshire Street overpass.

Please be aware that work zone speed limits are enforced by enhanced police traffic patrols in the area. Fines will double in this construction zone.

For more information: oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/hwy217/

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