October 14, 2023 3:50 a.m.

Construction begins Sunday on a project that officials say will make it safer and easier for northbound Interstate 5 motorists to reach Garden Valley Boulevard in Roseburg.

An Oregon Department of Transportation release said traffic congestion is a frequent problem on the Exit 125 northbound off-ramp. Public Information Officer Dan Latham said the ramp provides a left-turn lane onto Garden Valley Boulevard and a shared lane for motorists traveling straight onto Mulholland Drive or turning right. During peak travel times, vehicles in the shared lane sometimes back up to the travel lanes of the freeway.

Latham said the project will add a dedicated right-turn lane at the end of the ramp so drivers turning right will not have to wait behind those traveling straight through the intersection.

Prime contractor Knife River Materials will also replace the traffic signal poles and hardware, install new push-button pedestrian beacons, upgrade sidewalks and ADA curb ramps and repave the off-ramp and intersection., To accommodate the new turn lane, a retaining wall will be built between the ramp and Munson Court.

Latham said most work will take place between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday nights through Thursday mornings.

Construction will require nighttime lane closures on Garden Valley Boulevard and Mulholland Drive. Motorists should watch for workers and construction vehicles in the work zone. Some nighttime closures of the northbound ramp may be necessary. Latham said detour information will be provided prior to any ramp closure. When sidewalks are closed, alternate pedestrian routes will be provided.

The $2.4 million project is scheduled for completion in June 2024. For more information go to the project website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=21679