Starting Monday, Jan. 25, I-5 motorists will encounter fewer rolling slowdowns in north Douglas County. Over the past two weeks, ODOT and prime contractor K&E Excavating have been slowing southbound I-5 traffic between Cottage Grove and Rice Hill due to tree cutting operations. The slowdowns had been taking place hourly each weekday, resulting in frequent delays. Most of the tree-cutting work has been completed, so the hourly rolling slowdowns will no longer be necessary. However, starting the week of January 25-29, workers will begin blasting rock on the southbound side of the road to make room for a new climbing lane. Approximately 20-30 blasts will be scheduled between late January and early March. Blasting will take place during the morning hours, when traffic volumes are lower. No more than one blast will be scheduled each weekday. As a result, motorists should expect intermittent delays on weekday mornings through early March. Though less frequent, the upcoming rolling slowdowns will be conducted in both directions. Southbound I-5 motorists will be slowed down between milepost 174 and 160 while northbound motorists will be impacted between milepost 150 and 162. Most delays will be less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile, motorists should watch for intermittent lane closures in both directions between milepost 154 and 162. The tree-cutting and blasting operations are part of a $40.3 million project that will resurface eight miles of I-5 and build a southbound auxiliary/climbing lane at milepost 161. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2017.
