Traffic disruptions are expected in the Green District near Winston as paving work begins on Oregon 42. The project, led by Rocky Mountain Construction, will focus on building new right-turn lanes at key intersections and resurfacing highway travel lanes between Carnes Road and the South Umpqua River Bridges.
The paving work is set to occur at night from Sunday through Friday mornings, with at least one lane open in each direction throughout the process. Drivers are advised to anticipate short delays and remain alert for construction activity.
For the week of September 15-19, crews will pave areas along the shoulder where the roadway is being widened for new turn lanes and U-turn movements. Paving will then shift to main travel lanes. After this phase, raised concrete barriers and traffic separators will be installed along the center median, a necessary step before adding a new traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road.
The contractor plans to return next spring to complete additional paving from Lookingglass Creek to I-5. The full project aims to resurface a five-mile stretch of Oregon 42 between Winston and Interstate 5, add safety features designed to reduce crashes in the Green District, install a new traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road, and upgrade sidewalk curb ramps for improved accessibility.
As part of these improvements, left turns will be restricted in some locations, with U-turn accommodations provided at Carnes Road and Rolling Hills Road. Public feedback led ODOT to include streetlights at Landers Avenue and Jackie Avenue as well as right-turn lanes at Landers and Rolling Hills Road.
“Delays should be brief. Drivers are asked to slow down and watch for traffic control devices, construction workers and equipment.”
All work on this $11.97 million project is scheduled for completion by September 2026.
While ODOT faces a funding crisis affecting maintenance operations, most construction projects like this one continue as planned because they rely on separate capital funds that cannot be used for day-to-day maintenance or operations. However, potential reductions in workforce could cause delays due to fewer staff available for inspections or oversight.
For more information about the project or ODOT’s funding situation, visit their official website or contact ODOT Public Information Officer Dan Latham.
