A project to repave an 8.1 mile segment of OR 36 (Mapleton-Junction City Hwy.) will get underway soon. The project will apply a three-inch overlay of new asphalt between Low Pass (milepost 34.4) and Lawrence Rd. (milepost 42.5). In addition, the project will pave 180 approaches, place new shoulder gravel, and construct safety edges to the highway shoulder. Safety edges provide a 30-degree slope to the outer edge of the pavement. They have proven effective in reducing run-off-road crashes by eliminating a sharp drop-off of the roadway, allowing motorists time to safely correct their vehicle. The contractor for ODOT will begin mobilizing equipment near the construction area during the week of July 28, 2014 with paving beginning the week of August 4. The project is scheduled for completion by September 19, 2014. The contractor plans to work Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., using two paving machines. During construction, traffic will be restricted to a single lane through a two-mile construction zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will control travel in alternating directions. Motorists and bicyclists should anticipate delays of no longer than 20 minutes. Eugene Sand Construction, Inc. was awarded the low-bid contract of $1.4 million.
