Traffic Restrictions and Changes for Albany, Oregon Coast

Traffic Restrictions and Changes for Albany, Oregon Coast

Published 07/12/2010

(Albany, Oregon) - The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is issuing a warning about a lane restriction on one part of Highway 101 on the coast, while some major changes in traffic have happened in Albany.

Near Florence, ODOT said it has discovered a void beneath the asphalt in the southbound lane on US 101 at milepost 169.5, approximately nine miles north of Sea Lion Caves.

As a result, all travel through the area is restricted to the northbound lane and is controlled by flaggers.

“It appears that the rock base beneath the asphalt has washed away with time,” said ODOT District 5 Manager, Mike Spaeth.  “We won’t know for sure how bad it is until we can cut into the roadway and inspect beneath it.”

An assessment of the erosion to the road base will be conducted on July 13 and a decision on how to address the problem will be made shortly afterward.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution, reduce their speed through the area and allow for extra time for travel.  Delays are expected to be 10-15 minutes or less.

In Albany, ODOT is alerting Albany motorists to be aware of a change in traffic patterns along Pacific Blvd (OR 99E) between Madison Street and the bridge over the Standard Pacific Railroad tracks.

A federally funded, $620,000 improvement project is almost complete and crews will begin striping the new travel lanes later this week.

Drivers will be now in the left and middle lanes on Pacific Blvd. from Madison Street to the SPRR overpass and use the right lane for a right turn onto the Jackson Street ramp.

This new traffic pattern will utilize the right and middle lanes as through lanes. The left lane will merge into the middle lane and there will be a new right exit lane for turning onto the Jackson Street ramp.

Motorists are also reminded that the on-ramp to Pacific Blvd. from Jackson Street will be closed to passenger vehicles and trucks and available only for emergency vehicles.

The new lane configuration is expected to be completed this week and the entire project should be completed by the end of July.