Construction noise, dust and debris is about to come to Philomath’s downtown corridor. It’s all part of the Downtown Safety and Streetscape Improvement Project, which covers a stretch of Main and Applegate streets from 14th to Seventh.
“We plan to start on the west end of Main Street and work our way east,” the Oregon Department of Transportation said about the $12.3 million project. “Work will alternate across both lanes, one at a time.”
Preparations have been going on in recent days with construction anticipated to begin on Monday, Nov. 28.
Motorists will encounter shoulder and lane closures, ODOT said, adding that lane closures will be allowed weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Most of the work will be done during daytime hours.
The bulk of the project’s work relates to narrowing roads, creating more space for parking, widening sidewalks, installing pedestrian amenities, adding a two-way cycling route and adding “bulb-outs” to increase safety.
As of late this week, ODOT had been placing survey stakes to mark the area where workers will dig to install a new stormwater drainage system. In addition, workers have been installing erosion control to prevent large debris from going into existing drains and clogging the system.
“After Thanksgiving, we’ll start saw-cutting and digging up portions of the road to install new pipe and other pieces of the new stormwater drainage system,” ODOT said.
Businesses in the project area will remain open during construction. On-street parking will not be available in the areas under construction. Alternate routes for pedestrian access to businesses will be marked, ODOT said.
The city hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 4.
Construction is estimated to continue into 2024, according to ODOT’s published schedule.