The rebuilding of an historic rock wall along US 101, just north of Sea Lion Caves (MP 179), will begin next week, creating a construction zone that will require a single lane closure and flagging 24 hours per day until the project is completed in April, 2016. Located approximately nine miles north of Florence, the original wall was constructed in 1931. Over time, the wall has lost its integrity in several places. This project will increase the height and restore the integrity and the aesthetic appearance of a portion of the historic rock retaining wall along the ocean side of the highway. This section of US 101 is a designated scenic highway in Oregon. The Sea Lion Point Rock Wall is one of four designated rockwork sites on US 101, and is the second longest of these types of features. It is the only designated rockwork feature in Lane County. The Sea Lion Point Rock Wall is a good example of a rock feature constructed by the Works Progress Administration along the Oregon Coast Highway. The project will also replace the bridge rail on a half viaduct near Cape Perpetua (MP 166) H.P. Civil Inc., of Stayton Oregon was awarded the low-bid contract of $2.6 million. To learn more about the project, visit the project website. During the month of October, travelers between Florence and Yachats should plan additional time for the trip between the two cities. Heading north from Florence, travelers will encounter: Several work zones associated with a two-year paving and curve widening project taking place between mileposts 179 and 184. Crews on that project will be working days, nights and weekends to meet an October 31 contract deadline. The 24 hour per day single lane closure at the Sea Lion Point Rock Wall at milepost 178; Intermittent single lane closures and flagging at a slide mitigation project at milepost 177. This project will be completed by mid-October. While most of the work zones are short in length, resulting in short travel delays, the cumulative effect of the work zones may create a total delay of a half-hour or more. Travelers would be wise to add extra time to their travel schedules.
