U.S. 101 will be closed to all traffic six miles south of Bandon starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 19, and is expected to reopen late Sunday night, September 21. The closure is necessary for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and contractor Farline Bridge, Inc., to replace a failing culvert located 20 feet beneath the road surface at Bearhead Mountain Lane (milepost 281.8).
There are no local alternate routes available for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians during this period. ODOT recommends that travelers between Coos Bay and Crescent City, California, use Oregon 42 (Coos Bay to Roseburg Highway), Interstate 5, and U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) as a detour.
Travelers who cannot take the recommended detour are advised to adjust their travel schedules accordingly to avoid the closure window.
ODOT also warns drivers unfamiliar with the area not to attempt using Forest Service roads or other backcountry routes due to potential hazards such as unpaved surfaces, large rocks, potholes, lack of signage, limited cell phone service, and ongoing firefighting operations on some roads.
Once U.S. 101 reopens at Bearhead Mountain Lane, there will be single-lane closures in place for an additional two to three weeks as work continues in the area. Most delays are expected to be less than 20 minutes. The $1.25 million project is scheduled for completion by mid-October.
“Some critical maintenance and preservation activities, like this one, will continue to ensure the safety of the transportation system. These efforts may still be delayed, take longer to complete, or be limited in scope due to reduced staffing and resources. We will continue to do everything possible to prioritize safety and minimize disruptions, but we ask for your understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented constraints,” ODOT stated.
For updates on road conditions and travel information during the closure period, travelers can visit www.TripCheck.com.
ODOT is currently facing a significant funding shortfall leading to staff layoffs and reduced agency capacity. Without new revenue or increased spending flexibility, ODOT has had to make deep cuts affecting hundreds of employees in order to remain within budget limits. More details about ODOT’s funding situation can be found on their website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/Funding.aspx
For more information about this project or ODOT’s funding issues, contact Public Information Officer Dan Latham at 541-817-5200 or Dan.Latham@odot.oregon.gov.
