This article was in Wednesday’s (May 23, 2018) Herald and News

Written By: Stephen Floyd

A project to repave the Highway 97 northbound offramp leading to downtown Klamath Falls remains ahead of schedule, though weather could delay an end date of May 30.

On Tuesday, Peter Murphy, public information officer for Oregon Department of Transportation’s Region 4, said it is possible the project could wrap up on time, but it is also possible rain during the coming days could hold up finishing work.

“It’s beginning to look like ‘weather permitting’ we could get it open, but the responsible thing to do is say, ‘It’s not ready, yet,’ ” he said.

Murphy said crews still need to put stripes down and other “finishing touches” before they can reopen the offramp.

Work on the offramp, which connects motorists to Main Street near Veterans Memorial Park, began March 5 with the goal of replacing the deck with structural concrete, as well as upgrades to joints and rails. The project was awarded to James Fowler Construction, of Polk County, for a bid of $900,000.

While the ramp has been closed, motorists have been detoured though Crater Lake Parkway and Esplanade Avenue to reach downtown, though alternatives through other local roads are possible.

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Upcoming road projects

Oregon Department of Transportation is preparing for a slew of projects in and around Klamath Falls this spring and summer.

Highway 97 will see repaving crews between Algoma and Miller Island roads. The project will cost an estimated $7 million and will repair cracking, rutting and other deterioration. Crews will be active Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with delays expected to last 20 minutes. For project info, go to bit.ly/2IJDOVS.

Work will also begin to replace the Buck Creek Bridge on Highway 140, about 20 miles east of Klamath Falls. The bridge, built in 1960, is showing signs of decay and will be replaced for an estimated $1.5 million. Work will occur Monday through Friday during the day with an expected delay of 10 minutes. For project info, go to bit.ly/2J4agGh.

Highway 140 will also see minor construction at the Summers Lane intersection, where repaving crews have been active since last year. Construction is expected to continue on the shoulder and minor delays are expected. For project info, go to bit.ly/2J2vZhI.