September 16, 2025 3:20 a.m. 

Oregon Highway 42 drivers should watch for nighttime lane closures and congestion through the Green District as paving work is underway.

Oregon Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Dan Latham said most paving work will focus on the four-lane section of Oregon 42 between the South Umpqua River bridges and Carnes Road. Latham said that is between mileposts 74.5 and 75.7

Paving is scheduled nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings. During this phase, at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Latham said delays should be brief. Drivers are asked to slow down and watch for traffic control devices, construction workers and equipment.

This week, prime contractor Rocky Mountain Construction is paving areas along the shoulder where Oregon Highway 42 will be widened to accommodate new turn lanes and U-turn movements. Then paving work will shift to the highway travel lanes.

Latham said when this section of paving is finished, the contractor will install raised concrete barrier and traffic separators along the center median. These safety features will be in place before the new traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road can be installed.

The contractor will return next spring to pave other areas of Oregon Highway 42, from Lookingglass Creek to the Umpqua River Bridges and from Carnes Road to Interstate 5.

All work on the $11.97 million project is scheduled for completion in September 2026.