Starting around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28 Interstate 84 motorists near Baker City can expect freeway speed to be slowed to about 35 miles per hour for a short time.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said the speed change will be controlled by pilot cars and is needed to accommodate the removal of a power line that crosses I-84 near Exit 306. Typical delay for travelers is estimated to be about 10-15 minutes. The rolling slowdown will begin at mile post 322 for westbound and mile post 290 for eastbound traffic. Once traffic has passed the work site near Exit 306, travelers can return to posted freeway speeds. Freeway on ramps in the slow down zone will also be temporary closed until the pilot cars and traffic have passed their location.
Temporary on ramp closures for westbound traffic will occur at Exit 313 (Encina Interchange) and Exit 306 (South Baker City Interchange). Eastbound traffic can expect on ramp delays at Exit 295 (Eastbound Baker Valley Rest Area), Exit 298 (Medical Springs Interchange), Exit 302 (Richland Interchange) and Exit 304 (Baker City/Campbell Street Interchange). Travelers will be able to get off the freeway at these interchanges, but may experience delays in returning to the freeway in the direction of the work zone.
The reduced speed of the rolling slowdown will create a window of time when no vehicles will be on the freeway at the work site for approximately 10-15 minutes. This will allow Idaho Power’s contractors to safely remove the overhead power-line without traffic at the site.
