February 12, 2020 9:30 a.m.
Interstate Five motorists traveling between Oakland and Cottage Grove should plan for delays on Thursday and again on Sunday.
Dan Latham of the Oregon Department of Transportation said rolling slowdowns may delay traffic for up to twenty minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Thursday. Additional slowdowns are scheduled for Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Latham said flaggers will briefly hold vehicles at the northbound Elkhead Road on-ramp, and at all southbound on-ramps from Curtin to the Elk Creek/Cox Road exit.
Roadside message boards will be in place to warn motorists of the upcoming work.
Latham said the delays are needed as part of a three-month project to remove hazard trees and slide material along the freeway between Sutherlin and Cottage Grove. Hazard trees are those at high risk of falling and blocking travel lanes during high wind or heavy snow events, according to Latham.