Taking a different route can save time in Coos Bay, Feb. 18

ODOT release – COOS BAY – Traffic is backing up in south Coos Bay and we need your help. Road construction is underway on Johnson Avenue at the northbound and southbound U.S. Highway 101 intersections. Although all work is taking place at night, the two eastbound Johnson Avenue lanes have been reduced to one lane around the clock. This is causing Johnson Avenue traffic to back up during the daytime as people driving east toward Safeway and Fred Meyer wait behind folks turning left onto northbound U.S 101 (First Street). The Johnson Avenue lane closure may be in place for several weeks. Until we can get all lanes open, we urge motorists who usually turn left from Johnson Avenue to northbound U.S. 101 (First Street) to use an alternate route. This should help ease congestion and reduce wait times. Construction on the $1.4 million U.S. 101: Johnson Avenue Intersections project began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. The project will create a dedicated left-turn lane from eastbound Johnson Avenue onto northbound U.S. 101, replace the ADA ramps at all corners of both intersections, and install a large curb extension at the Broadway intersection to shorten the walking distance across southbound U.S. 101. For more information, visit the project website.