Week of August 4 - 8 Replacement of the Abandoned Northbound McKenzie River Bridge: There should be no effect on I-5 traffic during the week. I-5 Northbound and Southbound are running in detour alignment across the new Southbound Bridge. McKenzie View Drive: Expect occasional flagging during bridge work. The road will be closed overnight 8/8/08 while the old bridge is demolished. River Users: Construction of the work bridge and the beginnings of major bridge demolition are occurring over the water. The channel remains open. Week of July 21-26 Replacement of the Abandoned Northbound McKenzie River Bridge: There should be no effect on I-5 traffic during the week. I-5 Northbound and Southbound are running in detour alignment across the new Southbound Bridge. McKenzie View Drive: Expect occasional flagging during bridge work. River Users: Construction of the work bridge and the beginnings of major bridge demolition are occurring over the water. The channel remains open.

I-5 crossing over McKenzie River (click to enlarge)

E-Mail Updates
To receive weekly e-mail construction updates, go to the Manage E-mail Subscriptions page.

The Work Schedule
The project schedule depends on weather and a number of other factors. Please check with this website or the other resources mentioned, for the latest information on schedule and traffic control.

What is the I-5 McKenzie River bridges replacement?
The two existing 1950-era bridges crossing the McKenzie River, about three miles north of Eugene-Springfield (mile post 198), show signs of wear and aging. They must be replaced in order to ensure the free flow of traffic along the I-5 corridor. The project phases include:

• Replace the bypassed existing southbound bridge with a wider bridge.
  
• Move southbound and northbound I-5 traffic onto the new southbound bridge.
  
• Replace the existing northbound bridge with a wider bridge and demolish the southbound detour bridge.
  
• Move northbound I-5 traffic onto the wider bridge.

Throughout the project, two lanes will be maintained in each direction on I-5 during daytime hours, with no speed or weight restrictions. Traffic on Coburg Rd will not be affected. Traffic on McKenzie View Dr. will be affected during part of the construction; signs will be posted in advance of planned construction delays.

Impact on McKenzie River Recreational Users
McKenzie River recreational users should obey posted notices at “put in points” informing them of construction scheduling. Organized groups will be regularly informed by mail and email, and news releases will be sent to the media about construction work and its affect on river users. In addition, posters and flyers will be distributed to businesses that serve recreational river users.

How Is The Project Being Funded?
The $25.9 million project is funded by the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program, which is part of the Oregon Department of Transportation's 10-year, $3 billion Oregon Transportation Investment Act. OTIA is funded through state-issued bonds. The remainder comes from federal highway allocations approved by Congress in 2005.

OTIA funds will repair or replace hundreds of bridges, pave and maintain city and county roads, improve and expand interchanges, add new capacity to Oregon’s highway system, and remove freight bottlenecks statewide. About 17 family-wage jobs are sustained for every $1 million spent on transportation construction in Oregon. Each year during the OTIA program, construction projects will sustain about 5,000 family-wage jobs.

How Can I Get More Information?
Contact:

• Joe Harwood, Region 2 Public Information Officer
  (541) 726-2442
  Joseph.D.Harwood@ODOT.state.or.us
• Oregon Dept. of Transportation
  
• Metro Phone Hotline: 984-8484 – call this number to hear updated recordings on the project
  
• Highway Advisory Radio: 1660 AM – similar to the Metro Hotline with recorded updates of project information

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