May 28, 2026 3:20 a.m.
Contractors for the Oregon Department of Transportation will begin work this Sunday night on a project to repair the two Interstate 5 bridges spanning the North Umpqua River in Winchester.
Dan Latham from ODOT said the project will resurface the travel lanes, replace expansion joints, upgrade bridge rails and add protective screen to prevent anything from falling between the bridges. Latham said the work zone will be staged to help keep traffic impacts to a minimum while protecting both construction workers and highway travelers.
Work will take place on weeknights, when traffic volumes are lower and backups less likely. Lane closures will be in effect from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. each Sunday evening through Friday morning. All lanes of the freeway will be open during daytime hours and on weekends and holidays. A temporary speed limit of 50 miles per hour will be in effect through the work zone.
Salem-based contractor Carter and Company, plans to tackle the southbound bridge first, then switch to the northbound bridge later in the summer.
Latham said their first task will be to install temporary striping and concrete barriers down the center of the southbound bridge, establishing a narrow 10-foot-wide right lane and a 14-foot 10-inch left lane.
During daylight hours, southbound drivers can choose either lane. At night, the wide lane will be closed for construction, allowing work to take place behind the safety of the barrier. After 2-3 weeks, the contractor will shift the barrier and work on the other lane.
A nighttime detour along local roads will be available. Southbound trucks and wide loads can depart I-5 at Exit 129, take Del Rio Road and Garden Valley Road/Boulevard and return to the freeway at Exit 125.
Latham said construction will affect the southbound on-ramp at Exit 129. Starting in early June, the ramp will be restricted to loads of 10 feet or less. Later in June, the ramp will be closed at night to all traffic for another few weeks. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes and watch for roadside message boards.
When work shifts to the northbound bridge, concrete barrier will be placed along the centerline, and similar width restrictions will be in place. Northbound trucks and wide loads can use the same detour in the opposite direction.
All work on the $5.18 million project is scheduled to be completed by September 15th.