Project Information
- Fact Sheet (pdf, 528 KB)
You may go directly to a station using the buttons below, or click the Get Started button at the top of the screen to move through the stations in order.
Stations
= Page includes questions or opportunities for comment.
Falling rocks have landed on OR 99E
Left: A massive boulder from a rockfall incident in 2015. Right: Rocks cover the highway from a rockfall incident in 2010. To clean up the 2010 rockfall, both northbound lanes were closed for two days. The right lane was closed for an additional 6 days.
Problem
Since 2008, there have been eight rockfall incidents within the project area. Most recently, in November of 2016, a rockfall in the southern section closed a travel lane for three days, with cleanup requiring periodic closures of the entire highway. The current wire mesh that keeps rocks off the roadway was installed in 1995 and 1983.
Solution
This project will increase safety by reducing the potential for hazardous rocks and trees to fall onto the highway. ODOT will use rock scaling to remove loose rock, anchors to secure larger rocks, and repair or replace the existing wire mesh as necessary.
Work will be focused in two areas:
- Mile point 12.6, south of the tunnel at Railroad Avenue, and
- Mile point 13.4, near Old Canemah Park.
Project Area
Approach
- Move or remove the existing wire mesh to allow access to the hillsides.
- "Scale" the hillside in the northern section to remove loose rock and install anchors to prevent larger rocks from falling.
- Remove vegetation within 10-feet of the top of the cut slope that is in danger of falling into the roadway or loosening rock on the hillside.
- After the work is complete, the contractor will replace or repair the mesh barriers.
This work may be performed using bucket trucks from below, or by climbers rappelling down the rock face from above. In both cases, the work will need to occur during the day and it will be necessary to close one travel lane to ensure safety for workers and the traveling public.
Lane Closures
Site constraints will make it necessary to close one lane of OR99E while the project is underway. <i>Left: South of the OR99E tunnel. Right: Near Old Canemah Park.</i>
Summary of Impacts
Work must occur during daylight hours and it will be necessary to use a hard barrier to safely separate the work zone from traffic. The work will require:
- 24/7 lane closures on OR 99E.
- Occasional 20-minute full closures of OR 99E. Whenever possible, these closures will be scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize disruption to travelers.
- While construction is underway, travelers should expect to see lane changes, flaggers, and variable message signs.
- Pedestrians may encounter minor detours on the promenade walkway and near Old Canemah Park if the contractor needs to access the slope from above.
- There will be no closures on holidays. ODOT is also working to accommodate important dates and high-traffic events.
A contractor for ODOT is expected to begin removing hazard trees sometime in January 2018. This work must be completed during the winter months to avoid impacts to nesting birds. Some traffic impacts will be necessary during vegetation removal and will be described on the project website in advance of the work.
ODOT has been exploring ways to minimize impacts to travelers and to reduce the overall time necessary for these repairs. In summer 2017, Oregon City conducted similar rock scaling work in the project area, and the project team was able to observe best practices that will help minimize impacts during the upcoming closures.
However, ODOT strongly encourages regional travelers to consider using alternate routes while this project is underway. More detailed information about specific construction dates and related impacts will be available in spring 2018.
Questions
Stay Informed
- Visit the project website to find the most current project information.
- Learn how construction will affect traffic by visiting at www.TripCheck.com or by dialing 511.
- Follow ODOT on Twitter and Facebook @OregonDOT
- For more information, contact Katelyn Jackson, ODOT Community Affairs, at 503-731-8503.
Questions
Mailing List (Optional)
Provide the following optional contact information if you would like to be added to the project mailing list.
Demographic Information (Optional)
This project is requesting demographic information to evaluate the effectiveness of public outreach activities. The identity of individuals is kept confidential. The results are reported as totals only, and used solely to help improve future community engagement. Providing this information is voluntary and optional.
Oregon.gov
- State Directories
- Agencies A to Z
- Oregon Administrative Rules
- Oregon Revised Statutes
- About Oregon.gov
Oregon.gov Links
PDF File Accessibility
Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" image to get a free download of the reader from Adobe.
About this site
This web site was developed by JLA Public Involvement and is not hosted by the Oregon Department of Transportation, though we adhere to the same accessibility guidelines. If you have any problems with the information on this page, please contact technical support, (503) 235-5881 for assistance.
