Highway construction season is in full swing and Eastern Oregon travelers can expect to see orange traffic cones and construction workers along Interstate 84 and secondary state highways.
While many projects are now completed, there are still nearly two dozen in progress or scheduled to being within the next few weeks. The Oregon Department of Transportation reminds motorists to slow down, pay extra attention and be prepared for flaggers and traffic pattern changes when they see orange cones and construction signs. Distracted or inattentive driving and speed are primary causes of crashes.
With new, higher legal speed limits on many eastern and central Oregon routes, it is more important than ever to keep your mind on the task of driving. Remember, traffic fines are double the amount in all work zones, regardless of the presence of construction workers. Please pay attention to avoid paying a fine, or being involved in a crash.
Listed below is the status of key state highway projects scattered throughout Eastern Oregon.
Umatilla/Morrow/East Wheeler County Area
I-84 Old Oregon Trail Highway: Concrete pavement repairs for westbound freeway between Exit 188 and Pendleton, MP 188–203. Lane closures, reduced speeds and minor delays. Mostly nighttime work. Daytime lane width will be 19 feet. Nighttime lane width will be reduced to 14 feet. Work expected to start in September. Completion: 10/2016
I-84 Old Oregon Trail Highway: Pavement grind/inlay between Pendleton and Cabbage Hill, MP 203.65–217.75. Single lane travel in work zone, reduced speeds and minor delays. Day and nighttime work. Work expected to start in August. Completion: 10/2016
U.S. 395 Umatilla-Stanfield Highway: Paving grind/inlay plus other upgrades in Hermiston between junction of U.S. 730 and S.E. Fourth Street, MP 0.0–6. This project is mostly completed. Some minor work may be occurring in the area with minimal impacts to traffic. Completion: 8/2016
OR 206 Wasco-Heppner Highway: Pavement chip seal between Gilliam Coounty line and Heppner, MP 54.86–83. Downtown Heppner will also receive fog seal coating over chip seal. Lane closures, reduced speeds, day/nighttime flaggers, pilot cars, loose rock on the roadway, delays up to 20 minutes. Parking restrictions for 1-2 days in Heppner during paving activities in town. Work will start near Gilliam County line and work back towards Heppner as soon as chip seal on OR 74 is complete (late July), with completion expected early August. Completion: 9/2016
