A project to construct a new fish passage culvert and restore the natural tidal flows of Fraser Creek, north of Lincoln City, will result in a traffic diversion around the construction site and a speed limit reduction through the work zone. Beginning Monday, May 4, 2015 both lanes of US 101 will be diverted around the construction area near the US 101/OR 18 junction (MP 104). At the same time, the speed limit through the area will be reduced to 45 MPH. The two-lane diversion will allow normal, two-way travel around the area where US 101 will be excavated for the construction of the culvert. The diversion and speed limit reduction will remain in effect until mid-July, or until the culvert is constructed and the highway is rebuilt. The entire project will be completed by September, 2015. The low-bid contract for the US 101: Fraser Creek Culvert project was awarded to LaDuke Construction, LLC of Talent, OR. To learn more about the project, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION2/Pages/US-101-Fraser-Creek-Fish-Passage-Culvert-Project.aspx Project constructed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service – This project will assist the U.S. Forest Service in its restoration efforts to restore the Salmon River Estuary. When this segment of the historic Oregon Coast Highway was realigned in the 1950’s, the raised elevation of the roadway created, in essence, a dam that blocked the historic tidal flow of Fraser Creek. This project will restore the tidal flow and the natural estuary wetlands, benefitting endangered Coho salmon and other species in the important coastal river system. To learn more about the estuary restoration project, visit the USFS website. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fsbdev7_007294
