June 26, 2020 10:10 a.m.

Staff with the Oregon Department of Transportation has installed fencing underneath the west end of the Washington Street Bridge.

Dan Latham of ODOT told News Radio 1240 KQEN that there has been a history of illegal camping and other activities in many locations around Roseburg, particularly under bridges. Latham said ODOT is working with the City of Roseburg and adjacent property owners on the project. He said the fencing consists of steel bars, which will be more difficult to cut than chain link fencing.

Latham said ODOT has done something similar at the Interstate Five overpass on Garden Valley Boulevard. He said there some spots under the bridge where people were camping, which is dangerous considering the speeds of traffic on Interstate Five. Latham said the bars have been very effective at keeping people out.

Latham said another trouble spot has been under the freeway bridges near Roseburg High School. Chain link fencing was installed in that areas several years ago, but people frequently cut through the fence. Repairing it may take a couple of weeks when fencing is cut, before staff can deal with the issue.

Latham said he is going to keep an eye under the Washington Avenue Bridge, and if the bar design works, ODOT may consider it in other places. He said they have not seen the same problems under the Oak Avenue Bridge, possibly because it is more open to the weather and therefore a less desirable place to camp.