Summer season in eastern Oregon can seem a little short when it comes to getting highway construction projects completed before the snow flies. That is why there are usually projects scattered around the region during the height of the tourism season. Don't let such activities dissuade you from enjoying your travels in our beautiful corner of the state. Just be aware of where the activities are occurring and be prepared for any potential delays or detours. You might want to carry some drinking water and snacks. Below is information directly from the Oregon Department of Transportation and you can go to http://www.Tripcheck.com for the latest information. Call our office for itinerary recommendations, 1-800-848-9969, Janet or Rhonda.

Eastern Oregon ODOT Construction Update:
LA GRANDE, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the middle of coordinating dozens of highway construction projects throughout eastern Oregon this summer. Listed below is a current update on projects throughout the area along with anticipated traffic impacts and construction timeframes.

'Many new projects are starting construction this week, so please be on the lookout for those orange cones and work crews," said ODOT Region 5 Public Affairs Officer Tom Strandberg. "Please plan extra travel time, slow down in work areas and avoid distractions. With traffic fines double the amount in construction zones, it could save you money and maybe your life."

Travelers should visit TripCheck.com for up to date road and weather conditions. Or, call 511, or (800) 977-6368.

Interstate 84
I-84: Upgrade variable message reader boards 5 miles east of Pendleton at eastbound MP 215 & 216. Occasional lane closures, minor delays. Work will begin later this year and be completed by spring 2011.

I-84: Upgrade variable message reader boards 4 miles east of La Grande at eastbound MP 269.4. Occasional lane closures, minor delays. Work will begin later this year and be completed by spring 2011.

I-84: Construct snow fence near Foothill Road south of La Grande. Minor delays. Work will begin later this summer and be completed by end of year.

I-84: Paving upgrades starting 12 miles east of Baker City, MP 318 to 328. Reduced speeds, traffic pattern changes and single lane travel for eastbound and westbound traffic separated by reflective candlestick cones. Work is ongoing with completion expected this fall.

I-84: Variable Message Signs, traffic/road sensor installations around the Burnt River Canyon area 30 miles east of Baker City, MP 328 to 342. Occasional lane closures, reduced speeds and minor delays. Work is ongoing with completion expected later this summer.

I-84: Pavement resurfacing MP 342 - 353, east of Baker City. Traffic pattern changes and single lane travel for eastbound and westbound traffic through the summer. Work is ongoing with completion expected by end of next year.

I-84: Construction of truck climbing lane MP 357- 360, east of Baker City. Single lane travel for eastbound traffic. Work is ongoing with completion expected by end of next year.

US Routes
U.S. 26 (John Day Hwy): Replace John Day River (Coles) Bridge 5 miles west of John Day, MP 157.  Minor delays, single lane travel controlled with temporary traffic signals. Work is ongoing with completion by end of 2011.

U.S. 26 John Day Hwy): Repair John Day River and Dixie Creek bridges near Prairie City, MP 170 & 175. Lane closures, flaggers, up to 20 minute delays. Work is ongoing with completion by end of year.

U.S. 26 (John Day Hwy): Pavement chip seal between Prairie City and Austin Jct., MP 175 - 191. Up to 20 minute delays, single lane travel, 24 hour flaggers, loose rock on the roadway. Work expected to start August 2 with completion by mid August.

U.S. 26 (John Day Hwy.): Replace three Bridge Cr. culverts east of Austin, MP 186 - 189. Up to 20 minute delays, single lane travel controlled with temporary traffic signals or flaggers. Work resumed on this multi-year project July 6 with completion by November.

U.S. 26 (John Day Hwy): Pavement chip seal between Willow Cr. and Vale, MP 268 - 278. No work in downtown Vale. Chip seal work completed. Expect minor delays during striping operations later this summer.

U.S. 30 (Westgate / Court / Dorion Ave in Pendleton): Reconstruct Westgate/Court/Dorion/RR crossing intersection and pave Court and Dorian avenues in downtown Pendleton. Dorion Avenue paving is complete. Paving at intersection and along Court Avenue starts this week. Lane closures, local detours, minor delays. Major paving work to be completed by mid July. All work completed by Aug. 15.

U.S. 395 (Pendleton-John Day Hwy): Replace McKay Cr. Bridge 6 miles south of Pendleton, MP 5.8-B.  Minor delays. Work is ongoing with completion later this summer.

U.S. 395 (Pendleton-John Day Hwy): Replace Camas Creek and North Fork John Day River bridges near Dale, MP 61-B and 64-B. Minor delays, single lane travel controlled with temporary traffic signals.   Work is ongoing with completion by end of 2011.

U.S. 395 (John Day - Burns Hwy): Repair Canyon Creek Bridge 7 miles south of John Day, MP 7-C. Lane closures, flaggers, up to 20 minute delays. Work is ongoing with completion by end of year.

U.S. 395 (John Day - Burns Hwy): Replace Trout Creek Bridge 25 miles north of Burns, MP 43-C. Minor delays, single lane travel controlled with temporary traffic signals. Work will start late Aug. with completion by end of 2011.

U.S. 730 (Umatilla.): Concrete repair / paving upgrades at Umatilla Point of Entry, in Umatilla. Minor impact on US 730. Work will start later this summer with completion by end of year.


Oregon Routes
Oregon 7 (Whitney Hwy): Pavement chip seal from Austin Jct. at MP 0.0 to MP 9.6. Up to 20 minute delays, single lane travel, 24 hour flaggers, loose rock on the roadway. Work expected to start August 2 with completion by mid August.

Oregon 7 (Whitney Hwy): Replace two bridges 10 miles west of Baker City, MP 41 - 42. Intermittent delays and single lane travel at times.  Work is ongoing with completion by end of 2010.

Oregon 7 (Whitney Hwy. /Dewey Street): Construct new ramp for pedestrian crossing over Dewey Street. Intermittent delays and single lane travel at times. Work is ongoing with completion by end of Aug. 

Oregon 19 (John Day Hwy): Replace Goose Rock Bridge 10 miles west of Dayville, MP 119.  Minor delays, single lane travel controlled with temporary traffic signals. Work is ongoing with completion by end of 2011.

Oregon 19 (John Day Hwy): Repair 5 bridges between Service Creek and Spray, MP 79-85. Lane closures, flaggers, up to 20 minute delays. Work is ongoing with completion by end of year.

Oregon 37 (Cold Springs Hwy.): Pavement chip seal between junction of US 730 at MP 0.0 to Pendleton at MP 30.3.  Day and nighttime flaggers/pilot cars, lane closures, loose rock on roadway, up to 20 minute delays. Work will take place in August.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Storm water, pavement and sidewalk upgrades in Imbler, MP 11.7 - 12.5. Flaggers, lane closures, side street closures, up to 20 minute delays. Speed bumps have been installed on city streets and motorists are advised to NOT use residential street network to detour around project.  Work is ongoing with completion by end of year.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Pavement chip seal between Imbler at MP 12.47 and Wallowa Lake State Park junction at MP 71.18. Work also continues to park. No work in downtown areas along this route. Up to 20 minute delays, single lane travel, 24 hour flaggers, loose rock on roadway. Chip seal to begin near Imbler on July 12. Work will temporarily stop July 21 to 25 for Chief Joseph Day event. Chip seal is expected to be completed by mid August with all project work completed by end of October.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Replace Indian Creek Bridge 2 miles west of Elgin, MP 18. Intermittent lane closures with flaggers at times. Work is ongoing with completion by end of 2012.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.):  Road realignment 2 miles west of Minam near MP 31 and Minam Bridge Repair at MP 33.6. Flaggers, single lane travel, up to 20 minute delays. Work expected to begin mid July with completion by end of 2012.

Oregon 237 (Cove Hwy.): Pavement chip seal between Island City, Cove and Union (MP zero - 22), starting in Union (MP 22). Day and nighttime flaggers/pilot cars, lane closures, loose rock on roadway, up to 20 minute delays. Work started July 6 in Union and will work towords Cove, then Island City. Project expected to be completed by mid July.

Oregon 351 (Wallowa Lake State Park Road): Pavement chip seal between junction of OR 82 near Joseph and Wallowa State Park, MP 0.3 - 5.9. Up to 20 minute delays, single lane travel, 24 hour flaggers, loose rock on the roadway.   Work will start later this summer with completion by end of October.

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For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 511 or (800) 977-6368.
Visit the ODOT News Media Center at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/.