Front Street Ramp Widening Project to Begin

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Contact:

Andy Groh, Project Manager City of Salem Public Works Department 503-588-6211, agroh@cityofsalem.net Mike Gotterba Emergency Preparedness/Communications Manager City of Salem Public Works Department 503-588-6211, mgotterba@cityofsalem.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Front Street Ramp Widening Project to Begin

Construction of a second lane to the off-ramp from the Center Street Bridge to southbound Front Street is scheduled to begin the evening of April 14, 2008.

This additional lane will improve eastbound traffic flow on the bridge coming in to downtown by adding storage and capacity in the southbound direction. The project gets more cars off the bridge sooner to help move traffic during peak periods.

During construction, the ramp will be narrowed to a 14-foot-wide travel lane using concrete barriers. The narrowed lane is anticipated to be in place for approximately one month. Most work will be accomplished during the day. Several overnight closures of the ramp will be required to install traffic control, complete necessary paving and striping, and for the removal of traffic control barriers. Overnight closures will detour traffic to southbound Commercial Street from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Over-sized trucks will be required to use the detour full-time as long as the lane is narrowed to 14 feet.

The landscaped area between Front Street and the ramp will be shortened and improved. A portion of the wall on the east side of the ramp will be removed and replaced with a curb and additional pavement. Landscaping, trees, and irrigation will be installed in the tapered section and north of the work area.

This $168,000 contract is funded through the Urban Development Department. The contractor is Salem Road & Driveway Company.

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