July 31, 2019 R3-22-19
ASHLAND – Southbound I-5 drivers should prepare for single lane traffic and delays south of Ashland beginning late Thursday, August 1, as construction begins to improve the southbound concrete roadway.
From now until mid-October, when the first season of construction is complete, drivers in both directions will experience single lane, slow moving traffic in the two mile work zone between MP 11.4 to 9, especially during heavy travel days and weekends.
During night time operations, when crews will have single lane closures elsewhere in the project area, the construction speed limit will be posted at 40 MPH and enforced by OSP.
To help drivers know when there is a delay, ODOT is using Smart Work Zone Technology to show travel times through the work zone. Visit Tripcheck.com and look for the watch icon at either end of the work zone.
Over the project’s three seasons, contractor Carter and Company will repair and replace damaged concrete sections and level rutted travel lanes where needed between the California border and Exit 11, south Ashland exit.
In spring through fall 2020 and 2021, the project will replace the Exit 6 (Mt. Ashland) bridge decks. There will be additional crossovers during those years, along with ramp closures and ramp paving.
“Project staging and keeping everyone connected will be a challenge,” said ODOT Project Manager Chris Hunter of the $26 million project. “Interstate traffic will need to be slowed, especially those trucks coming down the grade at the crossover. At the same time, a single lane of traffic for trucks going up the grade will mean back-ups.”
Caltrans is also working several projects on the I-5 corridor between Redding and Weed this summer.