Traffic to shift for Empire Avenue’s northbound onramp to Highway 97; another blast planned next Saturday

(Update: ODOT corrected date of next Hwy. 97 blast - April 13th not 11th)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Beginning Wednesday, the northbound U.S. 97 on-ramp at Empire Avenue will be closed and access will be temporarily moved to the newly built U.S. Highway 97 Bend Parkway, ODOT said Thursday.

Vehicles along this route will travel on the newly built U.S. 97 parkway to Robal Lane, where they will reconnect with the existing highway. This will remain until the new northbound travel lanes are complete in July, officials said.

Also, next Saturday, April 13th, between 7 and 8 a.m., crews plan their fourth blast of hard basalt along U.S. 97 near Empire Avenue. The road will be closed for up to 15 minutes that morning. This brief closure of the highway allows for a clear zone around the blast site. 

Work is weather-dependent and our schedules may change. Learn more about the work by visiting the project page.

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Here's the full ODOT Region 4 construction update for the week of April 5-12:

Region 4 Weekly Construction Update

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 Wednesday April 10, the existing northbound U.S. 97 on-ramp at Empire Avenue will be closed permanently and access will be temporarily moved to the newly built U.S. 97 parkway. Vehicles along this route will travel on the newly built U.S. 97 parkway to Robal lane, where they will reconnect with the existing highway.

On Saturday April 13th, crews will complete another blast of hard basalt along U.S. 97 near Empire Avenue. The road will be closed for up to 15 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. This brief closure of the highway allows for a clear zone around the blast site. 

Crews are finishing miscellaneous clean-up work on U.S. 20 from Cooley Road to Robal Lane.

Crews continue work on the new Empire Avenue/3rd Street ramps east of Nels Anderson Road.

Crews continue to excavate, grade and work on the bridge along the northbound U.S. 97 shoulder between Grandview Drive, Cooley Road, and Empire Avenue.

Earthwork, drainage and paving continues east of Nels Anderson Road from Cooley Road to Empire Avenue.

Crews will be performing drilling and blasting north of Empire and east of U.S. 97.

Travelers will encounter single lane nighttime closures on U.S. 97 from Empire Avenue to Grandview Drive between milepost 133.6 and milepost 135.8.

The northbound Empire Avenue onramp will be closed to traffic for nighttime works from 10pm to 5am, Monday through Friday.

*A reminder to westbound travelers on Cooley Road; only cross the railroad tracks if you can completely clear the crossing. Never stop on the tracks.

Expected completion - December 2024

More project information here.

U.S. 20 at Locust Street Roundabout

Travelers will encounter daytime shoulder closures Monday to Friday on U.S. 20 as crews perform earthwork.

North Locust Street is closed until the end of May. Travelers should follow the detour in place.

Expected completion - September 2024

More project information here.

OR 126: Redmond - Powell Butte

Travelers will encounter shoulder closures on OR 126 Monday-Friday while crews prep the worksite. 

Expected completion - May 2025

More project information here.

OR 242: McKenzie Pass Pavement Preservation Project

Travelers will encounter daytime shoulder closures on U.S. 26 Monday-Friday for excavation and sidewalk work. 

Expected completion - December 2024

More project information here.

CROOK COUNTY

U.S. 26 Meadow Lakes Drive – Combs Flat Road (Prineville)

Travelers will encounter daytime shoulder closures and lane shifts on U.S. 26 and Elm Street Monday to Friday for excavation, drainage, and sidewalk work.
Access from U.S. 26 (3rd St) on Elm will be closed from April 8 through April 19 for the installation of signals and drainage. 

More project information here.

HOOD RIVER COUNTY

U.S. 30: Cascade Avenue at Rand Road (Hood River)

Crews will be performing electrical work and signal testing. There are no expected impacts to traffic this week. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should use caution while traveling through the project.

Expected completion - May 2024.

More project information here.

OR 281 at Orchard Road

Travelers will encounter single lane closures at the intersection of OR 281 (Tucker Rd) and Orchard Rd, daily between 5am and 3:30pm with flaggers in place to help direct traffic. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should use caution while traveling through the project.

Expected completion - May 2024.

More project information here.

KLAMATH COUNTY

OR 140 at OR 66 Intersection Improvements

No work expected this week.

Expected completion - end of October 2023

OR 140 Brett Way Extension (South Klamath Falls Highway, MP 3.74 - 4.75)

No work expected this week. 

More project information here.

Expected completion - September 2024

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 Lobert Bridge at milepost 252.5, Link River Bridge at milepost 275.03, Green Spring Bridge at milepost 277.12, Klamath River Bridge at milepost 278.81, and Pelican Bridge at milepost 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 and George Nurse Way are 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.

Pelican Bridge at MP 272.99:
Work continues on Lakeport Boulevard under U.S. 97 Pelican Bridge. Flaggers will be in place on Lakeport Boulevard to direct traffic. Travelers should expect minor delays.

Expected completion - June 2025

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.)

Travelers will encounter single lane closures controlled by flaggers Monday through Friday between the hours of 7am and 5pm while work is performed on the northbound sidewalk. Expect minimal delays and a speed reduction to 35 mph across the bridge. Please use caution while traveling through the work zone.

Expected completion - June 2024

More project information here.

Watch a video on this project here. 

Questions or comments?

Meghan Blyth, community affairs coordinator 

541-316-3941 or Meghan.L.Blyth@odot.oregon.govFor current road and weather conditions visit TripCheck.com or call 511