Road Work on Oregon Coast Range Highways Includes Felling Trees

Published 01/12/2011

Scenic Highway 18

(Lincoln City, Oregon) - The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced work on two of the passes to and from the coast: one on Highway 18 and the other on Highway 6. Work on Highway 18 will mean some traffic delays while the Highway 6 construction may mean some lesser delays.

ODOT, working under an agreement with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, will fall dead and dying trees that pose a threat to traffic along a twelve-mile section of Highway 18 in the Van Duzer State Scenic Corridor between Grand Ronde and the coast.

Felling of the unhealthy trees will begin the week of January 24 and take 10 days, weather permitting. The project will occur between Hwy 18 mileposts 7 and 19 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Work must be finished before February 28, the beginning of nesting season.

Nearly all 160 trees to be felled are already dead, but are within reach of the highway. Most will be left where they fall to decompose naturally. Those few trees removed from the area will be taken to a designated disposal site. A few targeted trees suffer from root rot. (above: scenic stream along Highway 18, Van Duzer Corridor)

Flaggers and a pilot car will control travel through the area in alternating directions.  Motorists should expect 10-15 minute delays. Motorists are reminded to take note of roadside warning signs and protect workers by driving with exceptional care when approaching a work site.

Between Tillamook and Portland, drivers will soon notice a helpful traffic change at the Devils Lake Fork Bridge on Oregon 6 at milepost 32 in eastern Tillamook County.

Highway 6

Beginning the week of January 17, ODOT’s contractor will reopen the bridge to two-way traffic at night and on weekends. Drivers will still need to watch out for flaggers and alternating one-way traffic on weekdays through February.

ODOT has said it is concentrating on traffic during this construction. Because this bridge is subject to snowy and icy winter conditions, ODOT is giving it priority to plow, sand, and de-ice the highway when needed. Construction crews are well equipped in this isolated area to connect with Emergency Services if necessary.

“We are also coordinating this project with other coastal corridor highway work to ensure that travelers will always have access to and from the coast,” said ODOT spokesman Lou Torres.

There is upcoming work on the Dennis Edwards Tunnel on Highway 26 that will start on January 17. This construction will mean delays at night on weekdays, but it will remain open during the days and all through the weekends. More on that here.

Lincoln City

Bayocean and Cape Meares, near Tillamook and Highway 6

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