A new traffic pattern is being introduced on Oregon 42 west of Coquille as part of a paving project managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The changes aim to improve safety for drivers, particularly those making left turns along a four-mile stretch between Green Acres Lane and Fernwood Road.
The project involves restriping the highway to create a continuous center turn lane, replacing one of the previous four travel lanes. According to ODOT, this adjustment is intended to reduce rear-end and lane departure crashes, some of which have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities over the years.
“Center turn lanes provide space for drivers to move out of fast-moving traffic before making a left turn, improving safety and helping to reduce the number of rear-end crashes,” stated ODOT in its announcement.
The new configuration will offer two eastbound travel lanes and one westbound lane from Green Acres Road to Coaledo Road. From Coaledo Road to Fernwood Road, there will be one eastbound and two westbound travel lanes. The center turn lane allows safer access at 15 side streets and more than a dozen private driveways along this section.
Temporary lane closures and traffic congestion are expected through the end of the week as striping work is scheduled for completion by Friday, Oct. 10, weather permitting.
In addition to the new traffic pattern, centerline rumble strips will be installed between Fernwood Road and Cedar Point Road. These strips alert drivers when they begin to drift across the yellow line into oncoming traffic, helping prevent lane departure crashes.
The Oregon 42: U.S. 101 to Cedar Point Road project also includes repaving seven miles of highway, repairing seven bridges, and replacing about two dozen culverts. The $11.77 million project is scheduled for completion in October 2026, with most construction expected to finish later this year.
For further details about the project or updates on construction progress, information is available on the official ODOT project webpage or by contacting ODOT Public Information Officer Dan Latham at 541-817-5200 or Dan.Latham@odot.oregon.gov.
