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Oregon Department of Transportation

I-84: Ladd Canyon Freight & Culvert Improvement Project Construction 2018 May 2017 Update

OVERVIEW: This multi-faceted project will widen the section of eastbound Interstate 84 in the Ladd Canyon area from mile post 270.39 to 272.81 (approximately six miles east of La Grande) and construct a third lane for truck traffic ascending the steep grade. Work will also include replacing the I-84 Ladd Creek (Exit 270) Interchange Bridge at mile point 270.87 with a box culvert. The new culvert will allow enough room for the extra travel lane and help reduce icy conditions that currently plague the bridge deck in wintertime. Additional project features include improving fish passage by upgrading and/or removing culverts for Brush Creek and Ladd Creek, and realigning Bruch Creek along the east side of the westbound freeway. The freeway through the project area will also receive pavement and striping upgrades. (See map on back).

2018 FREEWAY IMPACTS: Single lane travel through the work zone with limited shoulder space. Expect reduced speeds and minor delays on the freeway.

2018 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN DETOUR: Due to the narrow configuration for single lane eastbound and westbound freeway traffic through the 2018 construction zone, pedestrians and bicyclists will not be allowed along I-84 between miles posts 270 and 273. Work zone traffic configurations that include concrete barriers separating narrow eastbound and westbound travel lanes (one lane each) will not safely accommodate bicycle or pedestrian traffic. Bicyclists and pedestrians will need to ride the local transit bus (www.neotransit.org) between La Grande and North Powder, or take the bicycle detour route that runs from La Grande (Exit 265) to Union via OR203, then from Union to North Powder via OR 237. Detour route connects to I-84 in North Powder at Exit 285. Final traffic control plans for the project will clarify work zone ADA access/detours.

LADD CANYON ROAD RESTRICTIONS: I-84 westbound freeway on ramp access from Ladd Canyon Road at the Exit 270 Interchange will be restricted to accommodate the removal of the exiting bridge and the construction of the new replacement box culvert. The westbound freeway on ramp is expected to be closed from 7 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. during construction. The exit 270 eastbound off ramp connecting to Ladd Canyon Road will remain open, except for occasional delays to accommodate movement of equipment and materials. Specific road and ramp restriction dates have not been determined, but are expected to last from April 1 to October 31 of 2018.

PUBLIC OUTREACH: A public meeting is scheduled for May 16, 6-7:30 p.m. at the ODOT Region 5 Headquarters (3012 Island Avenue, La Grande) to share project plans and collect feedback from impacted property owners and users of the route. Interested parties are encouraged to attend the public meeting and/or contact ODOT for details (see contact information below).

PURPOSE AND NEED: The purpose of this project is to improve traffic flow and safety along the two-mile-long, 6 percent grade of I-84 through Ladd Canyon and upgrade several culverts to improve fish passage for Ladd Creek and Brush Creek, both of which run adjacent to the freeway.

Traffic safety and efficiency will be improved with the new third lane for eastbound trucks traveling up Ladd Canyon grade. This steep incline results in slow truck speeds as low as 10-15 mph throughout the year. Trucks passing one another on the grade currently block both eastbound lanes, causing back-ups for passenger vehicles traveling behind them. Winter time is more problematic. Ice, snow, and high winds, combined with the

I-84 Ladd Canyon Project Information Page 2

For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com, or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 1-800-977-6368.

steep grade and sharp curve at the bottom of Ladd Canyon have given this section of freeway notoriety amongst travelers and the freight industry for being a treacherous section of road. Freeway closures in the area are often attributed to commercial vehicle spin outs and wrecks. The issue is a growing challenge as the number of commercial vehicles in the area has steadily increased over the years.

Fish Passage along Brush Creek and Ladd Creek will be improved through culvert upgrades and realignment of Brush Creek. Both streams were realigned during the freeway’s initial construction in the 1950s and 60s which eliminated fish passage beyond the project area. A project in 2015 addressed some of the major fish passage issues and the work in 2018 will complete these long awaited upgrades.

TIMELINE: The project will go to bid in fall 2017, with construction occurring between spring and fall 2018 and 2019. The Ladd Canyon Road Traffic impacts will be limited to 2018.

COST: The total cost of the project is estimated at $20.4 million.

For more information contact ODOT Public Information Officer Tom Strandberg at (541) 963-1330, or by

email at thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us Additional ODOT eastern Oregon project information at www.tinyurl.com/odot-region5.