Better Roads Ahead

By Katy Eslick · The Mainstream
Published October 19, 2011

Both the freeway access closure and the gravel road problems students and staff have faced during fall term related to Oregon Department of Transportation's Del Rio Road-Winchester interchange project should be fixed as early as November, but no later than December according to ODOT Public Information Specialist Dan Latham.

The new Highway 99 alignment part of the project should also be finished by December, allowing easier access for students and staff who do not use the freeway.

The rest of the interchange construction, however, will take a little longer. The entire project is not scheduled for completion until September 2012, nearly a year away.

The construction project was originally scheduled to start June 1, which would have given ODOT more time to prepare for the extensive College Road changes, but ODOT delayed the project due to graduation ceremonies held at UCC.

“We thought we could get the work done before college started,” said Latham. ODOT had to replace the culvert on College Road, a process which ended up with motorists at times driving a few feet from  a massive hole or having to wait up to 55 minutes to exit campus.

Not all drivers have been patient with the process. One project employee complained that a driver actually threw rocks at her.

One reason for the project was problems with the Del Rio overpass bridge. It has started to crack. The bridge, built in 1955, also provides too small of an opening for I-5 motorists entering and exiting the freeway. ODOT decided to move the overpass bridge, the interchange ramps and Del Rio Road itself about 1,300 feet north.  This change will directly line up College Road with Del Rio Road where a new traffic light, as well as turn lanes, will improve safety.

The alignment will move Highway 99 between the fish ladder and College Road west to expand the fish viewing area parking lot so school buses and large vehicles can park safely. This will also allow ODOT to create parking spaces for disabled drivers.

Work on the project is scheduled to shut down for inclement weather, likely from January through May 2012. Work should start again in May.

Motorists can visit www.tripcheck.com for the latest information on raod conditions. More information about the project is available at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION3/delrio.shtml.