Expect construction delays on Wallowa Lake Highway (OR 82) this summer

LA GRANDE, Ore. — As the state gears up for one of its busiest construction seasons ever, summer travelers are asked to be patient and plan for extra travel time along Oregon highways. Here in eastern Oregon it is no different, with nearly 50 highway construction sites throughout the eight county region. Several of those projects are located along the Wallowa Lake Highway (Oregon Highway 82) in Union and Wallowa counties.

“There are four separate projects along the Wallowa Lake Highway between Imbler and the Wallowa Lake State Park,” said ODOT Public Information Officer Tom Strandberg. “Each project is allowed to delay traffic for up to twenty minutes per work zone. Some may be the full 20 minutes and others may be only minor delays, depending on the work and when you arrive at the site.”

Overall, delays could add an extra hour or more to a trip between La Grande and Wallowa Lake. ODOT is asking for travelers to include extra travel time and keep safety in mind at all times.

“We realize it can be frustrating to be delayed by construction work, but please drive with extra caution and keep in mind that these projects are putting people to work while preserving and improving our state’s transportation system,” Strandberg said.

Following is a list of projects in the Union and Wallowa County area, along with expected traffic impacts.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Storm water, pavement and sidewalk upgrades in Imbler, mile post 11.7 – 12.5. Flaggers, lane closures, side street closures, up to 20 minute delays. The City of Imbler has installed speed bumps on some city streets and motorists are advised to NOT use residential street networks to detour around the project. Work is ongoing with completion expected by the end of the year.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Pavement chip seal between Imbler at mile post 12.47 and the Wallowa Lake State Park. There is no work in downtown areas along this route. Expect reduced speeds, up to 20-minute delays, loose rock on roadway, with single lane travel controlled by flaggers and pilot cars during daytime and nighttime hours. Signs are being installed now and chip seal is set to begin near Imbler on July 12. Work will temporarily stop July 21-25 for Chief Joseph Day events. Chip seal is expected to be completed by mid-August with all project work to be completed by the end of October.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Indian Creek Bridge two miles west of Elgin at milepost 18 is set to be replaced. Flaggers will control traffic with intermittent lane closures at times. Work is ongoing and set to be completed by the end of 2012.

Oregon 82 (Wallowa Lake Hwy.): Road realignment work two miles west of Minam near milepost 31and bridge repair work at the Minam Bridge near milepost 33.6 begins July 13. The project involves excavation by blasting to facilitate removal of an old structure and replacement with a retaining wall between mile posts 30.9 and 31.7. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane controlled by temporary signal or flaggers around the clock. The 24-hour lane restriction is estimated to continue through late October. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes at each work site. Work is set for completion by the end of 2012.

Oregon 237 (Cove Hwy.): Pavement chip seal between Island City, Cove and Union between mile post zero – 22 will include day and nighttime flaggers and pilot cars, lane closures, loose rock on the roadway, and delays of up to 20 minutes. Work began on July 6 in Union and is now moving between Cove and Island City. This project is expected to be completed in a few days.