July 28, 2022 10:50 a.m.

Starting August 15th, Melrose Road will close for one week at the South Umpqua River as the Conn Ford Bridge replacement project begins a new phase.

Dan Latham of the Oregon Department of Transportation said during the closure, traffic from the Melrose area will detour onto Old Melrose Road, Harvard Avenue, Stewart Parkway and Garden Valley Boulevard.

Latham said the closure will allow prime contractor Farline Bridge Inc. to connect Melrose Road to a temporary bypass bridge located next to the Conn Ford Bridge.

An ODOT release said when Melrose Road opens on August 22nd, portable signals will provide traffic control at each end of the temporary bridge. The work zone speed limit has been reduced to 35 mile per hour.

Latham said in late Augusts, workers will begin removing the old Conn Ford Bridge so the new one can be built in its place. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024.

The release said the Conn Ford Bridge was built in 1964 and has reached the end of its design life. The new bridge will have two travel lanes and wide shoulders for pedestrians and bicyclists. ADA access will be provided across the bridge.

ODOT is partnering with Douglas County on this $22.6 million two-project bundle, which will also replace the Old Highway 99 Bridge in Oakland.  For more information to go: www.melrosebridge.com