U.S. 20 PME night closure schedule change

The start date of overnight road closures for the U.S. 20 Pioneer Mountain-Eddyville Project has been delayed until August 1, from July 17. Until August, the road will continue to operate as usual with minor delays of up to 20 minutes.

• This will NOT impact the opening of the new alignment section. Commuters between Newport and Corvallis, tourists and businesses should note that the project is still expected to be complete by the end of October.

• Expect up to 24-hour road work beginning July 17. Environmental rules allow for crews to begin working at night next week with up to 20 minute delays for travelers. Work hours will be expanded.
• Blasting isn’t necessary yet. Dirt over rock is currently being removed from the site in preparation for blasting to create new roadway on the west end curves.

The U.S. 20 PME: UPRR to Eddyville Project will create five-and-a-half miles of new road, bypassing a 10-mile section of the original U.S. 20 that was built in 1917. Safety will be improved with two lanes of travel that include wide shoulders and passing lanes, eliminating the old route’s very curvy sections and visual barriers.

 This phase of the project includes:

• Construction of landslide mitigation and geotechnical features
• Over 350,000 cubic yards of earthwork
• Construction of roadbed, aggregate base and asphalt concrete pavement
• Installation of drainage, guard rail, striping, and signing
• Installation of a wildlife crossing culvert under the new roadbed
• Erosion control
• Landscaping
• Re-routing public traffic onto the new alignment

Recognizing that these closures and delays will have a significant impact to the traveling public and local residents, coordination with local businesses, government agencies, and others in the area has ongoing. People will also be able find the latest closure schedules and road status on TripCheck or by calling 511. The project website is at www.us20pme.com.