Oregon contractor wins bid to install cable barriers

Oregon contractor wins bid to install cable barriers
Project will begin construction in November

Nov. 6, 2014
For more information:
Salem Project: Lou Torres, 503-986-2880, Louis.C.Torres@odot.state.or.us
Dave Thompson, 503-731-8263, David.H.Thompson@odot.state.or.us
Linn County Project: Rick Little, 541-726-2442, Richard.Little@odot.state.or.us
Tom Fuller, 503-986-3455, Thomas.Fuller@odot.state.or.us

K&E Construction of Salem has signed a contract with the Oregon Department of Transportation to install 42 miles of median cable barrier along Interstate 5 in Marion and Linn Counties. The $7 million dollar project is in response to an emergency declaration signed by ODOT Director Matthew Garrett on October 24.

ODOT had planned to install the cable barriers during the 2015 construction season but moved up those dates due to two fatal cross-over crashes in September and October.

"We are moving urgently to help prevent future cross overs," said Director Garrett. "We're confident that together we can help make this section of the interstate safer for motorists."

The contractor plans to complete the Salem project by the end of January, 2015 and the Linn County project by mid-March, 2015. Both projects include removal of berms. The Salem project includes installation of the cable barrier from milepost 253 (near the Mission Street/OR 22 Interchange) to 260 (near the Chemawa Road/Salem Parkway interchange) in Marion County. The Albany project calls for the barriers to be installed from milepost 209 (near the exit to Harrisburg) to 245 (near the Jefferson Highway interchange) in Linn County. There is also a small section of freeway in Lane County (near Camas Swale Creek at milepost 185) that will receive cable barriers. The department will require the installation of temporary barriers to both jobs to protect construction workers and motorists during construction.

"We'd also like to thank the Department of State Lands, and the Army Corps of Engineers for assisting with permits for this important project," Garrett said. "It is partnerships like this that make me proud to be an Oregonian."

After a preconstruction meeting we will know more about the construction schedule and other detailed project information. ODOT's goal is to have the contractor begin work by the end of November.

With the completion of this project, outside of isolated areas in southern Oregon, the vast majority of Interstate 5 will have the median closed.

### ODOT ###