New start date for OR 58: Salt Creek Tunnel restrictions and closures

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 04/09/2013 11:53 AM PDT

 

April 9, 2013                                                  For more information: Rick Little (541) 726-2442

04-89-R2                                                             email at: mailto:richard.little@odot.state.or.us

                                                                          

 

OR 58: Salt Creek Tunnel scheduled for weeknight closures beginning April 15

Note: This updates a previous release with a new start date

 

EUGENE—Lane restrictions and nighttime closures at the OR 58: Salt Creek Tunnel will begin on Monday, April 15, 2013 as the project begins its second season of construction.

 

Beginning April 15, the highway will be reduced to a single lane for two-way traffic. Flaggers and a pilot car will control travel in alternating directions. Motorists should anticipate delays of 5-20 minutes.

 

Also beginning Monday, April 15, OR 58 (Willamette Hwy) between milepost 56 and milepost 59, approximately 22 miles east of Oakridge, will be closed to all traffic in both directions Monday through Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. There is no local detour available and motorists will need to use an alternate route.

 

There will be no nighttime complete closures from Friday at 6 a.m. until Monday at 8 p.m. during the construction season. The single lane restriction will remain in place during all hours when the tunnel is open.

 

Nighttime highway closures

Monday-Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

 

Open to a single lane of travel weekdays

Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

 

Open to a single lane, day and night on weekends

Friday at 6 a.m. until Monday at 8 p.m.

 

Oakridge will always be open for business from the west. Crescent Lake and Willamette Pass will always be open for business from the east

 

During nighttime highway closures, motorists, other than freight haulers, have several alternate routes for travel from Eastern and Central Oregon to the Interstate 5 corridor. 

  • In Southern Oregon-OR 140
  • In Central Oregon-US 20/OR 126
  • In North Central Oregon-US 26

 

Built in 1939, the tunnel needs serious repair and the adjacent west half viaduct, and the three east viaducts are failing and need to be replaced.

 

During the first construction season in 2012, the contractor:

  • Lowered the tunnel floor by 18-inches
  • Poured and paved the new tunnel floor
  • Constructed a new, improved drainage system in the tunnel
  • Placed approximately half of the foundation piles for the half viaducts

 

This year, the project is scheduled to:

  • Place the remaining foundation piles for the half viaducts
  • Construct the half viaducts using precast beams and decks
  • Repair and seal the tunnel liner
  • Repair the tunnel lighting
  • Construct Variable Message Signs, TripCheck camera, and weather station

 

Capital Concrete Construction, Inc. of Aumsville, Oregon was awarded the $9.4 million low–bid contract.

 

Know Before you Go

 

To learn more about the project, visit: www.58tunnel.com

 

To get an update on current road conditions, visit: www.tripcheck.com

 

 

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