Roundabout work begins on Oregon 140

May 3, 2020                  For More Information: Gary Leaming, ODOT PIO, 541-774-6388

WHITE CITY – Construction begins tomorrow (Monday) on a new roundabout intersection on Oregon 140, about two miles east of White City.

When complete in October, the roundabout will provide a new connection to Foothill Road and Atlantic Avenue. Jackson County is currently extending Foothill Road north across Corey Road to meet up with the new roadway connection.

“We studied whether to place a signal at this intersection, but given the high number of crashes at nearby Kershaw Road, this is an ideal location for a roundabout,” said ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon.

At the time of opening, the nearby Oregon 140 and Kershaw Road intersection will be changed. A new median will prevent vehicles from crossing the highway at that location. However, traffic will still be allowed to make right and left turns from the highway onto Kershaw Road.

A dramatic reduction in crashes is expected when the changes are made at the Kershaw Road intersection, Marmon noted.

Safety studies show roundabouts reduce fatalities by 90 percent and are safer than traffic signals on high speed-rural highway intersections, such as what is found on Oregon 140.

When complete, the roundabout will be the sixth roundabout on a state highway in Oregon and the first in southern Oregon.

The $3.4 million roundabout is being constructed by JRT of Oakland, Oregon.

View how the Oregon 140 roundabout will work

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