Oregon Department of Transportation photo

The Oregon 42 Lookingglass Creek to Interstate 5 project will repair five bridges in the work zone, including the two bridges seen in this photo that span the South Umpqua River between Green and Winston.

Work began on a two-year project that will pave a 5-mi. section of Oregon 42 through Winston and the Green District, install a traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road, and add several safety features and pedestrian improvements, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The first few months of construction will focus on upgrading sidewalk curb ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Prime contractor Rocky Mountain Construction LLC of Klamath Falls, Ore., will oversee replacing curb ramps at 14 highway intersections. The company plans to begin work at the Cheetah Statue, where Oregon 42 meets Old Highway 99, and work its way east to Grant Smith Road.

Other work planned for this spring and summer includes repairing five bridges, building foundations and installing electrical conduit for the new traffic signal, and constructing right-turn lanes from Oregon 42 onto Landers Avenue and Rolling Hills Road.

Rocky Mountain Construction is moving forward with an ambitious schedule to pave Oregon 42 through the Green District and turn on the new signal this summer.

The contractor will then install a median barrier and channelizing islands along the center of the highway between Carnes Road and Rolling Hills Road. These safety features will help reduce crashes by limiting left-turn movements and lane departures.

The final segment of paving, which includes Oregon 42 through Winston to Lookingglass Creek, is planned for next year. All work is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30, 2026.

Rocky Mountain Construction was awarded the contract for the Oregon 42 Lookingglass Creek to I-5 project after a successful bid of $11.97 million.

Following an open house in November 2022, ODOT made several design changes to the project based on public comments. The right-turn lanes at Landers and Rolling Hills Road were added to the project. In response to another request, ODOT installed new streetlights at Landers Avenue and Jackie Avenue in October 2023.

The 3-mile area of Oregon 42 between the South Umpqua River and Interstate 5 has seen several serious crashes in recent years, some involving fatalities. Many of these crashes involve turning movements or vehicles departing their lane of travel.

The 4-mile area of Oregon 42 between Lookingglass Creek and Grant Smith Road was last paved nearly 20 years ago. The pavement shows extensive surface wear and cracking, and the travel lanes are rutted in several areas. Most of the bridges along this stretch of highway need maintenance and resurfacing.

(All photos courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation.)

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