COBURG, Ore. (KMTR) -- ODOT is about to begin one of the biggest summer road projects near Coburg, as construction crews will rebuild some on- and off-ramps as well as local roads to give drivers an easier way in and out of town.
Phase One of the project will focus on the west side of Interstate 5, targeting the southbound on- and off-ramps and nearby streets. The plan is to add a new business access road, while closing another in an effort to keep freeway traffic from backing up. Crews will transform Roberts Road into a cul-de-sac, eventually eliminating its connection to Pearl Street entirely. The work is slated to begin in late July.
Crews will also lay a new road to the south, at the intersection of Pearl Street with Coburg Industrial Way. Coburg Industrial Way South will run south from Pearl Street through a portion of the current Truck and Travel truck stop property. The new Coburg Industrial Way South will link to Roberts Road and provide access to businesses there.
Presently, traffic backs up on Pearl Street and subsequently onto the southbound off-ramp, as cars are trying to turn on and off Roberts Road.
"This is all about making that Pearl Street area around I-5 function efficiently and safely,” says Rick Little, Region 2 Public Information Officer for ODOT. “That whole stretch . . . was designed years ago and there were just too many places where vehicles could turn or enter Pearl Street."
Contractors will also widen Coburg Industrial Way’s intersection and the I-5 South on-ramp as a part of the project. There’s no timeline set for when Coburg Industrial Way South will open and Roberts Road will close.
ODOT estimates the project will cost $14.6 million, with $12 million dollars is coming from the Federal Government. The rest will come from the State of Oregon.
Phase Two of the project will replace the Pearl Street Bridge over Interstate 5 with a larger, wider structure and also widen the eastside exits. However, ODOT reported the second phase is unfunded and is not scheduled at this time.
