Project activity to begin on U.S. 101 at the Siltcoos Recreation Area, Feb. 14

Preliminary work is beginning on a project to expand and improve a dedicated right-turn lane from southbound U.S. 101 to the Siltcoos Recreation Area, seven miles south of Florence (milepost 198). Vehicles turning into the recreation area, especially longer vehicles pulling recreational trailers, currently have a hard time making the turn. In addition, during busy summer months, long queues of vehicles can back up on the highway as they wait to turn. A contractor for ODOT will begin clearing trees and surveying the area during the week of February 17, 2014. The tree clearing needs to be completed before March 1 in order to comply with the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Construction of the turn lane improvements will begin in April. Once construction begins, motorists should anticipate intermittent single lane restrictions with flaggers controlling traffic. Delays of 5 to 20 minutes could be experienced. Eugene Sand Construction Company was awarded the low bid contract of $356,000.