ODOT Announces December Speed Zone Hearing and Weekend I-205 Bridge Closures
Public meeting set for Dec. 9 to consider speed reductions; overnight closures planned Dec. 5–6 for Abernethy Bridge construction
SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released two transportation updates for December, including a public meeting on proposed speed zone changes and a pair of overnight closures on Interstate 205 for ongoing work on the Abernethy Bridge.
Speed Zone Review Panel to Meet Dec. 9
US101 through Coos Bay and North Bend is the subject of a speed reduction panel, says ODOT.
The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel will convene at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to consider proposed speed reductions on two state highways: River Road in Eugene and the Oregon Coast Highway (U.S. 101) in North Bend and Coos Bay.
The meeting will be held in person at ODOT’s Mill Creek Building in Salem and will also be accessible virtually via Microsoft Teams. Members of the public may attend and provide testimony. Accommodations for people with disabilities are available with advance notice.
The panel will review two requests:
River Road, Eugene (City of Eugene & Lane County): Reduce the speed limit from 40–45 mph to a consistent 35 mph between Azalea Drive and 0.31 miles north of Beacon Drive.
U.S. 101, North Bend/Coos Bay (City requests): Reduce the posted speed from 45 mph to 35 mph between 0.13 miles north of Stanton Avenue (MP 235.75) and 450 feet south of Hemlock Avenue.
The Speed Zone Review Panel only meets when disagreements arise between ODOT and a local road authority over recommended speed zone changes. The panel includes representatives from ODOT, the Oregon State Police, the Governor’s Transportation Safety Committee, the Association of Oregon Counties, and the League of Oregon Cities.
File Photo, ODOT
I-205 Overnight Closures Dec. 5–6 for Abernethy Bridge Work
In a separate announcement, ODOT said the Abernethy Bridge on I-205 will fully close overnight on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, to allow crews to install a new sign bridge as part of the Abernethy Bridge Project.
Both directions of I-205 will be closed:
Friday, Dec. 5: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday
Saturday, Dec. 6: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday
Lane closures will begin before and continue after the full closures, and drivers should allow extra travel time.
Ramp closures during the overnight work include:
OR 99E on-ramp to I-205 southbound
OR 43 on-ramp to I-205 northbound
Detours
Regional traffic: Use OR 224, OR 99E, and I-5
Local traffic: Use the Arch Bridge for river crossings
ODOT expects two additional overnight closures in the coming weeks to complete the sign bridge installation.
Arch Bridge Daytime Lane Closures Begin Dec. 1
Beginning Monday, Dec. 1, construction work on the Arch Bridge between Oregon City and West Linn will require a westbound lane closure for up to 10 days. Westbound travel from Oregon City to West Linn will not be possible during daytime work, and drivers will be detoured to the Abernethy Bridge.
Eastbound travel from West Linn to Oregon City will remain open.
