Paving project to begin construction soon on OR 126, west of Veneta, April 23

A project to repave 4.77 miles of OR 126 (Florence-Eugene Hwy.) approximately ten miles west of Veneta (MP 32.55-37.32), will begin soon. The project will also install centerline rumble strips and pavement reflectors, proven effective in reducing the frequency and severity of crossover crashes. A contractor for ODOT is currently placing signs and mobilizing equipment. Construction is expected to begin as early as this week. During construction, travelers should anticipate single lane restrictions with flaggers and pilot cars controlling traffic. Average delays of 10 minutes and occasional delays of up to twenty minutes should be expected. The contractor will be working a mixture of days and nights, Monday through Thursday. No work is planned Friday – Sunday. The segment of highway under construction has several sharp curves and has a history of numerous crashes. From 2009 through July, 2014, there were 93 crashes in this segment, resulting in one fatality and 79 injuries. ODOT and the contractor urge the public to reduce speed as they approach the construction zone and drive with extreme caution through the area. The project is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2015. Eugene Sand Construction of Eugene was awarded the low-bid contract of $1.66 million.