Moving Ahead - Winter 2017

A Mail Tribune Advertising Department publication

ODOT

December

15 2017

Oregon 62 Expressway

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Winter Maintenance

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Regional Transit Coordinator

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Shady Cove

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Caveman Bridge

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Oregon 62 Expressway

Winter construction work on the Oregon 62 Expressway project focuses on completing the new directional interchange located across from Hubbard’s Hardware as well as setting beams and completing the bridge deck at Vilas Road.

The $120 million project will increase capacity and improve safety along the Oregon 62 corridor, a critical business connection for commercial freight, tourism and commuters from Medford to destinations east.

Miles of Concrete

The project builds a 4.5-mile, fourlane expressway that will connect near Interstate 5 Exit 30 and diverge from the Crater Lake Highway southeast of the Medford Airport. The new expressway will extend north, cross over Coker Butte and Vilas roads via an overpass, and connect at a signalized intersection with the existing highway near Corey Road.

More than nine miles of concrete road surface has been poured already, which is about a third of what is needed to complete the project.

A portable concrete plant is stationed off Helo Drive, providing prime contractor Knife River Materials a quick trip to the work zone.

EXPRESSWAY continued on page 6

EDITORIAL DIRECTORS Jared Castle, 541-957-3656 jared.b.castle@odot.state.or.us

CONTRIBUTORS Brian Fitz-Gerald Design & Illustration

Gary Leaming, 541-774-6388 gary.w.leaming@odot.state.or.us

Steve Johnson Photography

ADVERTISING Athena Fliegel, 541-776-4385 afliegel@mailtribune.com

Shelley Snow, Shonna Zimmermann Editing

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This feature publication is produced separately from the Mail Tribune’s editorial department. All content is developed and approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

ODOT is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce.

Accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities; alternate formats are available upon request.

Oregon 62 Expressway

EXPRESSWAY continued from page 4 “We expect the concrete expressway will perform well with our southern Oregon weather,” said ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson. “We should get decades of maintenance-free use from the concrete.”

a difference along the Oregon 62 corridor, according to ODOT Assistant District Manager Jeremiah Griffin.

Project Milestones Prime contractor Knife River Materials: •

Completed the new Coker Butte Road crossing, opening traffic to International Way and the properties located on the eastern side of the Medford Airport;

•

Completed realignment of Crater Lake Avenue at the project’s north end with a new outlet at Fowler Lane; and

“We’ve seen an improved response from citizens, law enforcement, fire and tow operators,” said Griffin.

“First responders are quick to think about moving the vehicle to get the road open and traffic moving in a congested construction zone.”

Oregon law requires you to stop after a minor collision and pull out of any driving lanes, even if the traffic behind you is stopped. This is to avoid a secondary collision, as well as to not impede traffic flow.

Fender Benders

“Minor crashes are defined as when the vehicles are drivable and the people are without injuries,” said Griffin. “Motorists are required to move their vehicles, either to the highway shoulder or to a nearby parking lot, and away from the travel lanes.”

Signs directing motorists to move their vehicles off the highway after a fender bender-type crash are making

If you are the front car in a collision, motion to the other driver to follow you to a close place where there’s

• Built new storm water detention and culverts at North and South Swanson Creeks.

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room for both of you to pull over safely. If you’re on the shoulder, stay as far away from moving cars as possible while you assess damage and exchange insurance information.

Safety concerns rapidly increase as the stopped vehicles in a fender bender affect traffic along the corridor and cross streets all the way back to the I-5 interchange and offramps.

“The likelihood of a secondary crash increases with each passing minute,” said Griffin.

Fortunately, fender benders are the least serious and most common type of crashes reported along the corridor. Even before construction began several intersections along the Oregon 62 corridor between Delta Waters Road and Interstate 5 had higher than normal crash rates.

Transit Improvements

“I see the expressway helping to alleviate congestion,” said Brown.

“Signal prioritization will help transit deliver services on time.”

RVTD Manager Julie Brown cited another advantage of the new Oregon 62 expressway for transit riders could be a Bus Rapid Transit route from a Park-and-Ride in the White City area to or near downtown Medford.

“Better access through sidewalks, the possibilities of Park-and-Rides for commuters, and the addition of signal priority will help us get back on schedule,” said Brown.

Signal prioritization allows bus drivers, when running behind due to congestion, to change upcoming traffic signals to the green phase, thus putting them back on schedule and reducing time the bus sits in traffic.

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BIG NUMBERS To build the 4.5 mile expressway takes soil and building materials such as concrete and steel. Here’s a quick look at some of those quantities for the new roadway from Poplar Drive to Corey Road: 461,000 cubic yards of soil moved, enough to fill a football field 216 feet deep; 45,300 cubic yards of concrete in roadway – 25.7 lane miles 12 feet wide; and 233 tons of two-inch steel rebar - 126.5 miles, enough to travel from Medford to Eugene.

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• plowing • trenching • auger boring • vacuum excavation • natural gas transmission • natural gas distribution • rock hammer boring • directional drilling • underground power installation when others say something can’t be done, we say we’ll figure out how to do it, and we do!

541-855-7062 • www.bplinc.com odotmovingahead.com

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Winter Maintenance

Everett Carroll hopes not to meet you this winter.

pass while road conditions remain dry and clear near Ashland.

Carroll manages the Ashland crew, 31 permanent and seasonal maintenance specialists responsible for keeping Interstate 5 open on the Siskiyou Pass. In winter, the crew’s schedule transitions into 24-hour coverage to cope with the colder temperature and its creations — hail, ice, snow, sleet and slush — as well as motorists unprepared to travel over the highest mountain pass on I-5 from Canada to Mexico.

“You never know what to expect, so you have to expect everything,” said Carroll.

“Every winter, I meet drivers stuck in the snow, trying to chain up but dressed like they’re on a beach vacation,” said Carroll. “The Siskiyou Pass is no place for shorts and open-toe shoes. You need to come prepared.”

Snowstorms aren’t particular. That is why the section of I-5 from the California border to Exit 11 south of Ashland is challenging. Weather conditions change rapidly. Carroll said it’s not uncommon for a snowstorm to close the interstate on the California side of the mountain

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Maintenance Practices The agency’s announcement earlier this year to expand salt use in the Rogue Valley (see pages 14-15) received a lot of media attention and public interest. However, salt isn’t the only tool in the agency’s winter maintenance toolbox. Salt complements a variety of resources ODOT maintenance crews use to combat the effects of winter. For example, crews apply chemicals and sanding material on hills, curves, structures, and known trouble spots.

Chemicals are used both as an anti-icer, before the storm to help prevent ice from forming on the road surface, and as a deicer, after the storm to help break the bond between ice and the road surface.

“We can’t stop the snow but we can prevent it from bonding onto our roads,” said ODOT District 8 Manager

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Jerry Marmon. “We’re constantly improving efficiencies and equipment that allow our maintenance crews to focus on more areas during winter storms.”

Winter maintenance practices include plowing, sanding and applying winter antiicing liquid and salt. Crews use snowplows and truck-mounted push plows to clear snow; frame-mounted tailgate sanders, deicer trucks and spreaders to sand and salt roadways; and motor graders to cut snow pack. On the Siskiyou Pass, pusher trucks — equipped with counter weights over the rear axle for better traction and a thick rubber nose over the front bumper — are called in to push and straighten out stalled or jackknifed big rigs (commercial tractor-trailers) that can close down all lanes in a moment.

WINTER MAINTENANCE continued on page 19

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KNOW Before You Go

Pay attention to these four snow zone messages:

Carry Chains or Traction Tires The chains or traction tires must be in or on your vehicle, and they must be the right size for your vehicle and of sufficient number to comply with the chain rules.

Chains Required on Vehicles Towing or Over 10,000 GVW Vehicles towing or rated for more than 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains.

Chains Required on Vehicles Towing or Single Drive Axle Over 10,000 GVW You must use chains if your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds GVW (gross vehicle weight) or less and is towing; or is a single drive axle vehicle rated over 10,000 GVW. Chains must also be used on the trailer or vehicle being towed to comply with chain rules.

Chains Required-Traction Tires Allowed on Vehicles Under 10,000 GVW Vehicles towing or rated for 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains. Vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds GVW or less and that are not towing must use chains or traction tires.

CHAIN REQUIREMENTS Chains include link chains, cable chains, or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle, or outside of the tire, which is specifically designed to increase traction on ice and snow.

Traction tires include studded tires or tires that meet tire industry standards for use in severe snow conditions. Studless traction tires that meet Rubber Manufacturers Association standards for use in severe snow conditions

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carry a special symbol on the tire sidewall: a three-peaked mountain and snowflake. Research shows these tires provide better traction than studded tires on bare pavement.

When towing, cars and light trucks must use chains on both tires of the drive axle; chains also must be on the two outside tires of at least one axle of a trailer that is equipped with a brake.

In most winter conditions, fourwheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles are exempt from the requirement to use chains or traction tires if the vehicle is not towing.

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CONDITIONAL CLOSURES

ON THE SISKIYOU PASS Extreme winter conditions on the Interstate 5 Siskiyou Pass often require a conditional road closure – a requirement for all vehicles to use chains regardless of the type of vehicle or type of tire. ODOT and Oregon State Police maintain check points and will turn a motorist around if they aren’t prepared.

SISKIYOU PASS RESTRICTIONS 1. Carry Chains Chains must be in or on your vehicle and must be the right size and of sufficient number to comply with chain laws.

2. Single Axle Trucks and Vehicles Pulling Trailers All single axle trucks over 10,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight), trucks pulling double trailers, and any vehicle pulling a trailer is required to install chains. Traction tires cannot be substituted for chains.

3. All Trucks and Vehicles Pulling Trailers All trucks over 10,000 GVW as well as any vehicle pulling a trailer needs to chain up. Traction tires cannot be substituted for chains.

4. Full Chain Restriction This is Oregon’s most severe winter restriction. All vehicles, with the exception of vehicles with 4-wheel drive and emergency response vehicles, are required to install chains.

A traction tire is not allowed to substitute for chains.

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EXPANDING ROCK SALT USE

Expanded use of rock salt in the Rogue Valley follows a five-year pilot project on the Siskiyou Pass and 120 miles on U.S. 95 in southeast Oregon between Nevada and Idaho, neighboring states already using rock salt on their highways. California uses rock salt to reduce snowpack buildup.

The Siskiyou Pass was chosen because it is the highest elevation (4,310 feet) on the Interstate 5 corridor. During winter, chain restrictions, traffic delays and temporary road closures regularly occur. Due to the elevation and length of the Siskiyou Pass, road and weather conditions can change rapidly.

“Rock salt has helped us decrease Siskiyou Pass chain restrictions by 50 percent and temporary holds by 75 percent,” said ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon. “The pilot’s success combined with last winter’s success in the Willamette Valley and Portland metro area during the hardest storms proved salt can be another valuable resource for our maintenance operations.”

Rock salt reduces the freezing point of water, leading to melting and preventing icy build-up.

This winter, ODOT will expand salt applications on Interstate 5 through Josephine and Douglas counties to Canyonville. The agency constructed a rock salt storage shed in Hugo for the purpose. ODOT partnered with Caltrans to use its salt shed located in Hilt, California during the pilot. That arrangement will continue.

The expanded use of rock salt in eastern Oregon includes Interstate 84 between Idaho and Boardman, Interstate 82 near Hermiston and Oregon 395, 207, 730, 331 and 11. During severe winter storms, salt may be applied to other state highways as needed.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

ODOT previously avoided rock salt due to its corrosive effect on asphalt, bridges and vehicles, and concerns about runoff into soil and streams. The five-year pilot also assessed environmental impacts to nearby stream and soils in coordination with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Fish and Wildlife and other agencies.

“Compared with states in the Midwest, Washington, California and now Oregon use a fraction of the salt applied in colder states,” said Marmon. “We’ve learned best practices from Caltrans and we will continue to monitor salt use closely.”

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5

THINGS

I WISH EVERY DRIVER WOULD DO

By Larry Nicholson, State Farm Agent

Winter conditions can turn treacherous in an instant. Even on a short trip, you can find yourself stranded for several hours, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Here are some tips to be better prepared: 1.

Prepare Your Vehicle Get ready by checking: • Hoses and fan belts • Spark plugs • Fluid levels • Battery strength • Tire pressure and tread life • Air, fuel, and emission filters • Spare tire and jack

2. Follow Winter Driving Guides Before you start your vehicle: • Don’t warm in a closed garage.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent gas line freeze-up.

• Make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud or snow.

• Don’t use cruise control on icy roads.

• Allow more time for braking when visibility is poor.

• Stay calm if you start to skid.

3.

Carry Emergency Supplies Always carry jumper cables, tirechanging tools, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Include these items: • A small, folding shovel • Tow and tire chains • Basic tool kit • Bag of road salt or cat litter • Windshield wiper fluid • Antifreeze • Warning flares • Tire chains (know how to install!)

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Pack a Survival Kit Traveling in an area where you could get stranded? Carry these useful items: • Compass • Ice scraper and brush • Wooden matches • Non-perishable food • Prescription medicine • Cell phone charger • Blankets and warm clothing

5. Stranded? Stay Calm!

Follow these tips: • Pull off the highway, if possible, turn on your hazard lights or light flares, and hang a distress flag from an antenna or window.

• Call 911 and describe your location as precisely as possible.

• Remain in your vehicle.

• Run your vehicle’s engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. Crack open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Exercise a little to maintain body heat but avoid sweating.

• Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

Let’s all be safe this year!

Plan ahead and be prepared!

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Regional Transit Coordinator

ODOT’s new Regional Transit Coordinator is an idea person.

transportation providers receiving federal and state grant funds.

“I like finding new ways to make things work better,” said Jennifer Boardman, who joined the agency in November.

“We continue to explore ways to transform from highway regions to transportation regions,” said ODOT Regional Manager Frank Reading.

“Our agency has been evolving from project scopes of work influenced by a funding stream to project scopes guided by solutions that address all of the transportation modes.

A native Oregonian, Boardman brings more than a decade of governmental experience with a solid network in the Rogue Valley. She supervised the city of Central I’m here to Point’s Park and advocate for our Rec Department from 2006 to transit partners earlier this year, to ensure they have when she joined representation at the same division for the city of the planning stage Medford.

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of projects.

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“Having an advocate for transit who lives and works in the same community as our transit partners is a huge piece of that puzzle. Jennifer is a great resource for our agency.”

— Jennifer Boardman, “I love our state and Regional Transit Coordinator I want to do anything I can to help improve it,” said Boardman. Her new Economic and demographic position responsibilities include trends are shifting the public’s facilitating collaborative partnerships transportation needs and behaviors, between transit agencies and driving the agency’s move away stakeholders and providing oversight from a highway-centric approach, and technical assistance to public to help address the need for more odotmovingahead.com

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transportation options. As part of the agency’s intermodal evolution, the regional transit coordinator position complements the regional active transportation liaison position, both of which are now based in the agency’s White City office.

“I’m here to advocate for our transit partners to ensure they have representation at the planning stage of projects,” said Boardman, who plans to draw from her professional experience in program and contract management and grant funding.

“Transit providers in southern Oregon are diverse. I understand the challenges they face, especially during the grant cycle, as they implement programs and plans to enhance their communities.

Public transportation’s four major funding sources — federal, state, local and fares — are as detailed: • Federal: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

“Just being someone who has been in this region and has seen the struggles should help.”

About Jennifer Boardman

• State: ODOT Special Transportation Fund, State Transportation Improvement Fund, and other state programs/sources • Local: Funds vary by jurisdictional authority • Fares: Funds paid by users

Jennifer Boardman brings more than a decade of Parks and Recreation management experience in southern Oregon to her new role as ODOT’s regional transit coordinator. She headed the city of Central Point’s Park and Recreation department from 2006 until earlier this year. Boardman was recognized as the city of Central Point’s 2009 Employee of the Year.

Boardman joined the city of Medford last summer and, then, ODOT in November. She graduated from Southern Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science in Social and Community Development.

independently and participate in the economy. The section provides grants, policy leadership, training, and technical assistance to communities and local transportation providers who offer public transportation. The program areas include general public transportation, special needs transportation and intercity transportation.

Federal funds for public transportation are authorized and appropriated

by Congress, primarily through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The FTA and FHWA provide funding allocations to the states and reimburse for eligible expenses, including state administration of the FTA programs.

Large urban providers also receive some funds directly from the FTA. Many federal sources require local/ state matching funds that vary from 10 percent to about 50 percent, depending on the program. FTA does not allow fare revenue to be used for local match.

About ODOT’s Public Transit Section The Public Transit Section supports the state’s goals for citizens to have transportation choices to live

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WINTER MAINTENANCE continued from page 11 Like the Ashland crew, ODOT maintenance crews based in Central Point, Grants Pass and Prospect adjust their winter schedules to provide 24-hour coverage on state highways throughout the Rogue Valley. ODOT has 14 maintenance districts within five regions across the state.

“District and region lines disappear when assistance is needed,” said Marmon. “We sent equipment and personnel to Portland several times over the last couple of years to help with some of the big storms the area experienced.

“Equipment breaks down. Crews need backup coverage. We couldn’t do it without help.”

Come Prepared I-5 travelers should come prepared to navigate over Oregon’s five highest mountain passes — Siskiyou (4,310 feet above sea level), Sexton (1,956 feet), Smith Hill (1,730 feet), Stage Road (1,830 feet) and Canyon Creek (2,020 feet).

“Our success is tied to the public’s ability to slow down and drive safely in winter conditions,” said Marmon. “You can’t expect to travel over these mountains in winter without encountering adverse conditions. Even experienced drivers need patience. However, if you’re prepared, you’ll stay warm and safe in your vehicle. Don’t take chances.

Prepare for the worst.”

ODOT encourages drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter driving

conditions and drive with extra caution. Before traveling to areas that may have hazardous conditions, make sure your vehicle is ready: • Ensure the heater and defroster work properly.

• Test all lights. Carry spare light bulbs.

•

Use antifreeze that works to -25°F; check and fill washer and other fluids and make sure hoses aren’t loose or brittle.

• Keep wipers clean and in good condition; fill the windshield washer tank.

•

Make certain your battery is fully charged (also check battery age and make sure cables are not loose or corroded).

• Ensure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated for best traction, including your spare.

• Carry chains or use traction tires in winter.

• Keep an automotive safety kit in your vehicle.

If you travel with a child, pack extra food, warm clothes and blankets, toys and games, and extra diapers, just in case. Remember to use your child safety seat properly. Before leaving, tell a family member or friend of your planned route and when you anticipate arriving. Keep them updated on any major route or arrival changes.

Check out this Siskiyou primer on YouTube.com

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Shady Cove

Shady Cove is in the middle of a $2.7 million enhancement project that runs through the community on Oregon 62.

Crews have kept traffic moving in both directions while performing necessary work on the shoulder to keep the Shady Cove community connected and commerce moving on Oregon 62. Flaggers control traffic, especially when trucks and equipment enter or exit the work zone.

Prime contractor HGC, Inc. of White City is building the first phase on the Rogue River side of Oregon 62. Work is also underway at the Rogue River Drive intersection.

And a private water company continues utility work within Our project the highway right goal is to be of way near the project area. completed

“

before next

A key component for the flaggers and work under traffic is to keep pedestrians safe next to the highway as well as across from it. Pedestrian paths are clearly marked in the work zone.

“HGC crews have summer. been busy working on storm sewers “HGC has flaggers — Shawn Daw, ODOT Project Coordinator and detention ponds, assisting the public and pouring curb, with traffic and gutter and sidewalks,” pedestrian control,” said said ODOT Project Coordinator Daw. “We also have four very Shawn Daw. “Our project goal is to be visible crosswalks in the work zone for completed before next summer.” pedestrians. Drivers always need to pay attention.”

While the project schedule calls for major construction work to be Oregon State Police patrol the work completed by the end of May 2018. zone with overtime enforcement Severe winter weather could push that hours provided through the project completion date into June. budget. The fine for failure to yield to

”

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Shady Cove

Project Highlights • Curb, gutter, sidewalks and bike lanes on the river side of Oregon 62 from the Rogue River Bridge to the north side of Chase Bank; • Curb, gutter, sidewalks and bike lanes on the west side of Oregon 62 from Chaparral Drive north to Cleveland Street; • Marked crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons north of Rogue River Drive, and between Chaparral Drive and Williams Lane; • A continuous two-way, left-turn lane on Oregon 62 from the Rogue River Bridge to Williams Lane; and • A right-turn lane with sidewalks from Rogue River Drive onto southbound Oregon 62.

pedestrians starts at $260 but doubles in a construction zone.

The north end of the enhancement project ends at Cleveland Street, where almost 300 students are educated at Shady Cove School.

Principal Amy Isackson said that although most students attend school without walking along the highway, the new sidewalks and bike lanes will benefit everyone in the community.

The Oregon 62 paving project features roadway safety improvements and enhancements along the Shady Cove business corridor that were proposed by the city. Project improvements include new curb, gutter and sidewalks as well as bike lanes through the commercial corridor from the Rogue River Bridge north to the Shady Cove School at Cleveland Street.

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Caveman Bridge

Prime contractor HP Civil Inc. of Stayton built a work bridge beneath the historic Caveman Bridge, signaling the first phase of the rehabilitation project is underway in Grants Pass.

Attached with cables to the concrete bridge, the work bridge provides access to the belly of the 86-year-old structure, which spans the Rogue River as the gateway to the Redwood Empire of southwest Oregon and northern California.

The $5.3 million rehabilitation project is the first major upgrade of the Caveman Bridge, designed by famed Oregon bridge designer Conde McCullough, since its construction in 1931.

“Through the winter, the crew will repair concrete and perform crack injections,” said ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher. “The community will then see lane closures at night when the rehabilitation work transitions from underneath the bridge to on top of it.”

Construction work that affects traffic

will involve single-lane night closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A total of 12 full-night closures, from 9 p.m. until 6:30 a.m., will be scheduled as needed during the two-year project.

Special project provisions scheduled no-work weekends to avoid conflicts with annual celebrations and other key community events.

Strengthening the bridge involves repairing exposed steel rebar, injecting the cracks with epoxy, and installing titanium rebar. The historic gateway sign on the north side of the bridge will also undergo rehabilitation by the city of Grants Pass.

Project Development The city of Grants Pass, the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, and adjacent businesses partnered with ODOT to develop the project. Information collected from that collaboration in addition to traffic data collected by ODOT showed that any constructionrelated lane closures would quickly cause traffic — nearly 19,000 vehicles daily — to back up through the city.

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Caveman Bridge

An open house last spring showcased the needed bridge improvements and detailed construction impacts to traffic and nearby businesses.

An outstanding turnout by the community included a special appearance by the famed Oregon Caveman Club of Grants Pass, a boisterous group of civic boosters formed in 1922.

“Caveman Bridge is an important connection for the city and its identity,” said Colene Martin, President-CEO of the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce. “We know it will take some time to complete and have some impacts but in the end, it will all be worth it.”

Pedestrian Accessibility ODOT was asked at a Grants Pass City Council meeting last summer whether the agency had considered widening the bridge to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. The ODOT project development team investigated how to widen the sidewalks at its narrowest points — two feet, eight inches — where the

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v Project Highlights Prime contractor HP Civil Inc. will: • Repair sections of cracked concrete, exposed rebar and failed joints along the nearly 550-foot structure; • Repair bridge deck delamination by grinding off the existing asphalt cap and replacing it with a stronger, premixed polymer concrete; • Replace the bridge rail, maintaining its unique aesthetic while meeting today’s safety standards; • Add new lighting that maintains the character of the bridge’s street lights; and • Pressure wash the concrete bridge and recapture all water.

New lighting will mirror the bridge’s existing historic lamps. The old decorative rail will be cut from the bridge. Those sections that are intact afterward will be available for sale to the public by HP Civil Inc.

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Caveman Bridge

bridge arches meet the walkway.

The team worked with the State Historic Preservation Office for the environmental permit. Three options were researched: (1) curb extensions, also known as bulb-outs or bumpouts; (2) widening the sidewalk along the entire length of the bridge; and (3) narrowing bridge rail. The State Historic Preservation Office determined those three options would have “an adverse effect” on the historic bridge.

“Clearly, there is a need for better accessibility on the Caveman Bridge that wasn’t envisioned back in 1931,” said ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson. “People who use wheelchairs have a difficult time passing the bridge arches.

“Our staff continues to evaluate options available within the scope of this project with the goal to make the sidewalks more accessible for everyone.”

Project updates are provided online at www.CavemanBridge.com.

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