Hwy. 22 bridge project means delays near Detroit

Travelers on state Highway 22 and U.S. Highway 20 between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley are being advised by the Oregon Department of Transportation that an upgrade project on the Tumble Creek Bridge just west of Detroit could bring delays of at least 20 minutes for much of the next three months.

During the project, at least one lane will remain open continuously 24/7, with flaggers controlling two-way traffic.

ODOT said travelers should be aware that during periods of heavy congestion, such as Sunday evenings, there could be long delays. During those periods, motorists might want to consider an alternative cross-Cascades route, such as using state Highway 126 at Santiam Junction, with access to Interstate 5.

A contractor working for ODOT will be grinding and removing existing asphalt on the Tumble Creek Bridge, installing a waterproof membrane, repaving the bridge, reconstructing the bridge approaches and upgrading the guardrail.

After next Friday, both lanes of traffic are open on weekends until Sunday at 9 p.m.