County moving ahead with Weaver Road bridge project
By Dan Bain KPIC NewsMYRTLE CREEK, Ore. -- The county is moving ahead with a project in southern Douglas County that would give Myrtle Creek another freeway access point. The county and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) plan to build a bridge across the South Umpqua River that will extend from the Weaver Road overpass at milepost 106 on Interstate 5, and connect to Old Highway 99 about two miles south of downtown Myrtle Creek. The county has been buying up some of the property that will be needed for the right of way to do the project. County Public Works Director Robb Paul says the project could take a lot of pressure off the interchange at the Myrtle Creek curve. "It will provide another access into Myrtle Creek from I-5, and it will also allow ODOT to look at the north end of Myrtle Creek, that existing interchange. If you were to get on the freeway southbound, that interchange, you come up and make a really tight circle so you're entering the freeway at a very slow speed." Paul says it will allow ODOT to look at that interchange and possibly even close it because of the hazardous situation there. He told county commissioners Wednesday that most of the funding is coming from the federal government. "The federal government is paying about 67-70% of this project. It's being paid by the Federal Highway Administration and the county is paying the rest of the project. A recent construction project widened the overpass at the Weaver Road interchange to prepare for the construction of the extension of the road to the east. Paul says they hope to go out for bid on the project by June or July of next year. |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV. Stay Connected |
Connect with KPICViewer PollMost Popular
|
KPIC, 655 W. Umpqua,