UPDATE
The Oregon Department of Transportation announced Thursday that "due to ongoing funding challenges," the Highway 34 project set to begin July 7 has been canceled. "ODOT is experiencing a significant and immediate funding shortfall that is resulting in staff layoffs and reduced capacity across the agency. Without legislative action to provide new revenue or flexibility in spending, ODOT is making deep cuts and laying off hundreds of people to stay within its budget."
Commuters and travelers along Highway 34 should prepare for significant delays next week as road crews begin a multi-phase preservation project between Alsea and Philomath.
Starting July 7, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced that it will implement daytime lane closures to apply chip seal coating to the roadway, a treatment designed to protect and extend the highway’s lifespan while providing a smoother driving surface.
ODOT cancels Highway 34 work due to funding challenges
The Oregon Department of Transportation announced Thursday morning that a road preservation project scheduled to begin Monday on Highway 34 between Philomath and Alsea has been canceled “due to ongoing funding challenges.” The multi-phase operation involved the application of a chip-seal coating to the roadway, a treatment designed to protect and extend the highway’s lifespan…
The work will cause substantial disruptions to traffic flow with delays and pilot car escorts required through the construction zone from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Additional overnight sweeping operations will run from 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. during the same period.
The project will stretch into mid-July, with loose gravel remaining on the roadway until a fog seal application is completed on July 14.
Flaggers will be stationed at numerous intersections to assist local traffic while smaller driveways and side roads will be marked with “wait for pilot car” signs. Officials emphasized that drivers should not enter the highway from these locations until a pilot car arrives to escort them through the work zone.
ODOT said the fog seal treatment on July 14 will start at around 8 a.m. and is expected to take approximately six hours. Road striping is then planned for around July 17 with temporary reflective markers being used until permanent striping is complete.
Bicyclists will need to travel behind pilot cars over rock chip-covered sections of highway. All work remains weather dependent and could be rescheduled if conditions are unfavorable, officials said.
Even after active construction ends, ODOT said motorists should expect loose gravel to remain on the roadway for several days and are advised to reduce speed and maintain extra distance between vehicles.
The chip seal application is part of routine highway maintenance designed to protect the existing roadway surface from weather damage and wear.
Travelers can check current road conditions and construction updates at TripCheck.com or by calling 511 before departing.