April 9, 2022 3:30 a.m.

Douglas County motorists traveling between Interstate 5 and the Oregon coast may notice new traffic control devices in state highway work zones.

Dan Latham of the Oregon Department of the Transportation said for the next month, Oregon 38 traffic will be reduced to a single lane through Scottsburg. Meanwhile, drivers on Oregon 42 will see intermittent weekday lane closures in a seven-mile stretch west of Camas Valley.

Latham said traffic at each location will be controlled by an automated flagging system. Each system consists of a modified traffic signal with a crossing arm at the end of each work zone. During the signal’s red-phase, the arm will lower to block traffic in one direction. Latham said during the yellow-phase, the arm will lift, allowing traffic to pass through the work zone. There is no green phase.

The release said similar robot flagging systems have been used for nearly a decade throughout Oregon. They are designed to keep everyone, including flaggers, safe on the highway.

Latham said the lane closure in Scottsburg will allow prime contractor Hamilton Construction to work on the north approach to the new bridge across the Umpqua River. Traffic is likely to be shifted onto the new bridge later this month, though work will continue throughout the summer.

On Oregon 42, ODOT and prime contractor Suulutaaq recently began work on a six- month project that will pave 6.8 miles of the highway, stabilize a slide area and repair several bridges.