I-5 Slowdowns, Ramp Closures and Highway Work Planned Across Douglas County

Drivers traveling through Douglas County should prepare for rolling slowdowns, overnight ramp closures and several active highway work zones beginning Monday, Sept. 14.

The Oregon Department of Transportation’s latest construction report includes hazard tree removal near Canyon Creek, maintenance paving near Oakland, continued bridge work at Winchester and ongoing improvements along Oregon 42 and Oregon 138E.

Rolling Slowdowns Planned Near Canyon Creek

ODOT will begin removing fire-damaged hazard trees along the southbound curve of Interstate 5 near milepost 95. The $50,000 project will focus on dead or visibly dying trees within the state right of way.

Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is expected to continue through the end of September.

Rolling slowdowns will affect both directions of I-5:

• Northbound traffic will be slowed between mileposts 87 and 95, from Azalea to Canyon Creek.
• Southbound traffic will be slowed between mileposts 103 and 95, from Tri City to Canyon Creek.
• Flaggers will temporarily hold vehicles entering I-5 from northbound Exit 88 at Azalea and southbound exits 103, 102, 101, 99, 98 and 95.
• Most delays are expected to last less than 20 minutes.

Message boards will be placed ahead of the work zone. Drivers should watch for workers, construction vehicles, traffic-control equipment and possible debris on the highway.

Overnight Ramp Closures Near Oakland

Maintenance paving will also bring overnight closures to I-5 ramps near Oakland and Metz Hill.

The southbound Exit 140 off-ramp to Old Highway 99 will be closed from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the nights of Monday, Sept. 14, and Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The northbound Exit 142 on- and off-ramps at Metz Hill will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Drivers who normally use those ramps will need to take alternate routes.

Winchester Bridge Repairs Continue

Nighttime construction remains underway on the northbound and southbound I-5 bridges over the North Umpqua River and Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad tracks near Winchester.

The $5.18 million bridge project includes resurfacing the travel lanes, rebuilding bridge joints, upgrading bridge rails and installing protective screening.

Weeknight lane closures are planned in the southbound direction from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning. Construction may also require intermittent closures of the southbound on-ramp at Exit 129, Del Rio Road, between 6 p.m. and noon.

Drivers should watch for roadside messages and be prepared to use alternate routes when the ramp is closed.

Final Work Continues Along Oregon 42

Contractors are completing miscellaneous work along a five-mile section of Oregon 42 between Winston and Interstate 5.

The $11.97 million improvement project has included resurfacing the highway, installing a traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road, adding safety improvements through the Green District and upgrading sidewalk curb ramps.

Daytime and nighttime lane closures may continue through September. Most construction is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning.

ODOT is also introducing a zipper merge for eastbound Oregon 42 traffic approaching the bridge over I-5. Drivers heading toward Roseburg or northbound I-5 should use both eastbound lanes through Green and take turns merging where the highway narrows.

New signs, striping and pavement arrows will direct traffic through the merge. ODOT is asking drivers to be patient as motorists become familiar with the new traffic pattern.

Intermittent nighttime closures may also affect the northbound I-5 on- and off-ramps at Exit 119. Nearby residents should expect construction noise overnight.

One-Lane Traffic Continues on Oregon 138E

The Paris Reservoir Landslide repair project continues along Oregon 138E between mileposts 29 and 31.

The nearly $7 million project will install horizontal drains along the eastbound shoulder to help manage groundwater and stabilize the area. Construction is expected to continue through summer 2027.

Traffic through the work zone is limited to a single 14-foot-wide lane controlled by a portable signal around the clock. Wide loads cannot travel through the area, and other drivers should expect congestion during peak travel times.