ODOT Announces U.S. 30 Safety Project to Begin in Early March

Update on March 12, 2021:

Construction has begun on Highway 30 between St. Helens and Scappoose. The work, which improves conditions in the former safety corridor, will take place between Millard Road and Bennett Road. ODOT is managing the construction project. 

The project will not detour traffic on Hwy 30 but will impact access to side roads including both Millard Road and Bennett Road. Work will take place Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Plan for traffic delays when traveling through the area. Construction is expected to continue into 2022.
Updates include:

• Increasing the turning radius of the right turn lane from U.S. 30 onto Bennett Road by widening and restriping the roadway near the intersection.
• Restricting left turns onto U.S. 30 from Bennett Road by creating a median.
• Adding a traffic signal at U.S. 30 and widening Millard Road to provide protected access to U.S. 30 from Millard Road that will relieve traffic pressure.
• Upgrading the rail crossings at both Millard and Bennett Roads

More information can be found at the ODOT website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=...

Originally posted January 22, 2021:

In early March 2021, the Oregon Department of Transportation will begin a project to enhance safety on U.S. 30 between Scappoose and St. Helens. The improvements will be made along U.S. 30 between Millard Road and Bennett Road.

The project is a result of a safety corridor designation from 2010 until 2014. The designation enabled ODOT to work with local communities to address the causes of several serious crashes. Travelers should be aware of the potential for delays and lane closures when the project begins in early March 2021. The project is expected to finish before October 1.

ODOT has provided the following information about the project:

U.S. 30 safety project in Columbia County to begin in early March

Improves safety between Scappoose and St. Helens

ST HELENS—A highway project that will enhance safety on U.S. 30 between Scappoose and St. Helens will begin in early March.

The U.S. 30 Millard and Bennett Roads Safety Project will make changes to both intersections to reduce the number of serious crashes. The project is a collaborative effort between the Oregon Department of Transportation, Columbia County and the local communities to make this section of road safer.

The project will:

• Increase the turning radius of the right turn lane from U.S. 30 to Bennett Road by widening and restriping the roadway near the intersection;
• Restrict left turns onto U.S. 30 from Bennett Road by creating a median;
• Add a traffic signal at U.S. 30 and Millard Road and widening Millard to provide access to U.S. 30 that will relieve traffic pressure; and
• Upgrade the rail crossings at both Bennett and Millard Roads.

This section of U.S. 30 was once part of a safety corridor that was designated in 2010 but decommissioned in 2014 because of a reduced number of serious crashes. The safety corridor designation also enabled ODOT and the local community to engineer a solution to safety concerns with turning issues at the intersections. This $7.5 million project addresses those concerns.

During construction, travelers can expect some delays and lane closures. However, U.S. 30 traffic will not be detoured. Construction is expected to be completed by October 1.

Access for pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will be available and identified through or around work zones.

For more information about the project, visit the project web site at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=....