Two-lane roundabouts on Hwy. 20 at Cooley Road and Robal Lane open; new roundabout due soon in Sisters
(Update: Adding video, comments from ODOT)
Meanwhile, two Tumalo roundabouts set to open Nov. 1
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- ODOT's Region 4 weekly construction update for this week is highlighted by Monday's full opening of the new dual-lane roundabouts on Highway 20 at Cooley Road and Robal Lane.
Kacey Davey, public information officer for ODOT's Central Oregon region, told NewsChannel 21 Monday the new roundabouts are "really going to help with congestion and make it easier for people in any direction at those intersections, no matter how they want to travel, across the highway, down Highway 20.
"And they're also so much safer than normal intersections -- not only for vehicles, but for pedestrians and cyclists as well," she said.
The price tag for both roundabouts: $17.6 million, combined.
In addition to the new roundabouts, this project will improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity along the U.S. 20 and U.S. 97 highways by building multi-use paths, ADA-accessible curb ramps and enhanced crossings in the project area. ODOT said they also worked with Cascade East Transit to build a new transit stop near Target.
The openings follow several months of construction this year on one of Oregon's busiest highways.
"We're looking forward to the reduction in crashes, especially in serious-injury crashes" Davey said. "Those injury crashes will reduce by about 75% in roundabout intersections. So we're just excited to have these big safety features going in."
The two roundabouts in Bend are only part of Central Oregon's big Highway 20 makeover.
Next spring, ODOT will begin construction on a new $7 million roundabout at Locust Street and Highway 20 in Sisters, to improve safety and ease traffic flow from the Highway 126 junction into town.
Construction is set to start next March, and is expected to last until Memorial Day weekend.
"It's going to be just a little bit north of where the road is now," Davey confirmed. "It'll have just a slight curve if you're going west, and the roundabout will be a little bit off set from the highway."
"But the part we don't need any more, the asphalt, will be removed, and it will just be seeded to natural grasses."
Two more roundabouts, along with a bike-pedestrian overpass, will open on Highway 20 in Tumalo a week from Wednesday, on November 1st.
Visit the project page for more information about the Bend North Corridor project.
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Here's the rest of ODOT's weekly report:
Here at ODOT, we are committed to providing a safe and efficient transportation system for everyone. We invest in Oregon's future through roadway improvement projects. The following projects are located within Region 4; Central Oregon from The Dalles to Klamath Falls on the east side of the Cascades.
There are two ways to learn about construction taking place for the upcoming week.
1. Visit TripCheck.com. Constantly updated with construction and crash data, TripCheck is the best way to learn about road conditions around the state. Click on a traffic cone symbol on the map to see construction impacts for that area.
2. Scroll down to the counties and highways listed below to see impacts that could affect you. Construction information is shown for one week, giving you the most up-to-date information.
All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change.
DESCHUTES COUNTY
U.S. 97 and U.S. 20 Bend North Corridor
On Monday, October 23, crews will open two travel lanes in each direction on U.S. 20 and the dual-lane roundabouts at Cooley Road and Robal Lane will be fully open to traffic.
Crews are finishing miscellaneous clean-up work on U.S. 20 from Cooley Road to Robal Lane.
Crews continue to move dirt to build the new Empire Avenue/3rd Street ramps east of Nels Anderson Road.
Earthwork continue east of Nels Anderson Road from Cooley Road to Empire Avenue.
Excavation work continues on the southbound U.S. 97 shoulder between Grandview Drive and Cooley Road.
Travelers can expect slight delays on Nels Anderson Road just north of Brandis Court while crews install sewer and water lines. Flaggers will be in place to help direct traffic.
Expected completion - December 2024
More project information here.
U.S. 20: Tumalo-Cooley
Travelers will encounter daytime lane closures on U.S. 20 from Tumalo to Cooley Road to allow crews to install electrical, landscape, build sidewalks, and finish miscellaneous clean-up work.
Expected completion - November 2023.
More project information here.
HOOD RIVER COUNTY
U.S. 30: Cascade Avenue at Rand Road (Hood River)
Eastbound and westbound U.S. 30/Cascade Avenue left turn lanes remain closed. Two-way traffic is re-opened on Rand Road which allows drivers to make turns from U.S. 30/Cascade Avenue onto Rand Road and from Rand Road onto U.S.30/Cascade Avenue.
Temporary crosswalks and pedestrian access routes are in place to direct pedestrians through the work zone. Travelers, pedestrians and cyclists should expect delays and use caution while traveling through the work zone.
Expected completion - May 2024.
More project information here.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
and CTWS RESERVATION
U.S. 97: The Dalles - California Highway Culverts Project
No work expected this week.
U.S. 97: Dover Lane - Bear Drive Safety Improvements Project
Travelers will encounter daytime shoulder closures on U.S. 97 to allow crews to install fencing, place rocks on the shoulder, and finish miscellaneous clean-up work.
More project information here.
Expected completion - April 2024
KLAMATH COUNTY
OR 140: Lake of the Woods
Crews are removing trees along OR 140 between milepost 46.4 - 48.2. Flaggers will help direct traffic though the work zone. Travelers can expect minor delays.
More project information here.
Expected completion - end of November 2023
OR 140 at OR 66 Intersection Improvements
Crews will paint stripes on the road, install signs, move dirt, and clean-up the project area. Travelers can expect minor delays.
Expected completion - end of October 2023
OR 140 Brett Way Extension (South Klamath Falls Highway, MP 3.74 - 4.75)
Crews will paint stripes on the road near the roundabout on OR 140 and Homedale Road. Flaggers will help direct traffic though the work zone. Travelers can expect up to 20-mintue delays.
Crews will paint stripes on Brett Way. Flaggers will help direct traffic though the work zone. Travelers can expect minor delays.
More project information here.
Expected completion - end of November 2023
U.S. 97: OR 58 - California Border Project (The Dalles - California Highway, MP 252.44 - MP 278.81)
This project consists of bridge work on Link River Bridge at MP 275.03, Green Spring Bridge at MP 277.12, Klamath River Bridge at MP 278.81, and Pelican Bridge at MP 272.99.
Link River Bridge at MP 275.03:
Travel lanes have been shifted on Main Street. All bridge work will be done behind the barrier, no delays expected.
Conger Avenue is closed for thru traffic. Travelers should follow the detour in place.
George Nurse Way is closed for thru traffic. Travelers should follow the detour in place.
OR 140 at the Green Springs Bridge at MP 227.12:
Travel lanes have been shifted. All bridge work will be done behind the barrier. No delays expected.
Klamath River Bridge at MP 278.81:
Crews will be working under the bridge. No delays expected.
Pelican Bridge at MP 272.99:
Work continues on Lakeport Boulevard under U.S. 97 Pelican Bridge. Travels can expect minor delays.
Expected completion - June 2025
More project information here.
OR 140 Klamath County Boat Marina to Lakeshore Drive Project (Western Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration project)
Project area: OR 140 between mile post 56.92 to 58.75
Beginning July 5, 2023, OR 140 will be reduced to one travel lane. Flaggers, pilot cars, and traffic signals will help direct traffic for alternating direction of travel. Drivers can expect up to a 20-minute delay.
Work is scheduled Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the end of each workday, the road will be opened back up to normal two-lane traffic.
More project information here.
WASCO COUNTY (OR)/KLICKITAT (WA)
The Dalles (Columbia River) Bridge Project (U.S. 197: WA MP 0.57 I-84: MP 100.6-U.S. 197: OR MP 0.61 I-84: MP 102.2.)
Work continues on the shoulders and staging areas off the ends of the bridge during daytime hours with no impacts to traffic, as well as on the bridge deck, sidewalks, and under the bridge.
Single lane closures controlled by flaggers will occur weeknights between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Travelers can expect up to 20-minute delays.
Travel speed across the bridge is reduced to 35 mph. Use caution when traveling through the project area.
Expected completion - end of October 2023.
More project information here.
Watch a video on this project here.
U.S. 26: Clear Lake Road - NW Dogwood Lane Project
No work expected this week.
Expected completion - end of October 2023.
Questions or comments?
Cody Franz, community affairs coordinator
541-316-3941 or Cody.Franz@odot.oregon.govFor current road and weather conditions visit TripCheck.com or call 511
