January 16, 2024 3:20 a.m.

The one-week closure of Melrose Road that was scheduled to start Monday at the South Umpqua River has been postponed two days due to weather.

An update from the Oregon Department of Transportation said the closure, which will allow the contractor to place beams on the new Conn Ford Bridge, is now expected to begin at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.

Dan Latham from ODOT said the beams will be transported from Vancouver, Washington, where ice and snow have created hazardous road conditions. Latham said prime contractor Farline Bridge, Inc. expects weather to improve enough over the next 48 hours to begin transporting the beams Wednesday morning.

During the closure, traffic from Melrose Road will detour onto Old Melrose Road, West Harvard Avenue, Northwest Stewart Parkway and Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard. Motorists are advised to slow down and drive with caution along the detour route.

Latham said Melrose Road is scheduled to be closed until dusk on Tuesday January 23rd. However, the contractor will likely open the road when they finish placing the beams, which could be a few days earlier.

ODOT is partnering with Douglas County on this $22.6 million two-project bundle, which also replaces the Old Highway 99 Bridge in Oakland.

Construction on the Conn Ford Bridge project began in the spring of 2022. The new bridge is expected to be open to traffic this summer.

For more information, visit the project website at: www.melrosebridge.com.