Your safety is our top priority

From ODOT- Every day 59,000 cars travel over the temporary Willamette River Bridge as we replace the aging structure. But keeping motorists safe is only part of the puzzle -- hundreds of bicyclists, walkers and joggers move through the site daily on Alton Baker Park paths.

To keep everyone safe, regardless of how they enter the construction site, we install warning signs, barricades and provide detours to move vehicles and people through and around the area.

Flaggers play a key role on the highway and paths through the construction site. Regardless of the weather or the time of day, they are stationed at key locations to keep you safe.

The flagger monitors construction traffic and events and determines how best to ensure safety. It might involve a temporary delay until a piece of equipment passes, showing you an alternate route, or leading you through an area where large construction vehicles are moving or other construction related hazards exist. Flaggers receive special training so they're prepared to evaluate changing project conditions that require a quick response, while respecting and responding to members of the public.

Flaggers know that for your safety, you need to stop, wait, go around or be escorted through the construction zone. They don't know, however, if you're running late or simply don't want to be delayed; please be patient. Flaggers will keep you safe and a short delay is worth your well-being.

The next time you pass through the Willamette River Bridge project and see a flagger, remember that your safety is their highest priority.

Canoe Canal Path safety

From ODOT-
If you have been under the Canoe Canal Bridge lately, you may have noticed part of the old south embankment has been removed. This has improved visibility on what was a dangerous curve in the Canoe Canal Path, making the east-west commute safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Our decision to do this came out of discussions with path users about acceptable detours, how to keep an east-west route open at all times, and other changes to increase safety during construction in the Whilamut Natural Area.

We removed the embankment material with minimal impacts to path users and before the winter rains began, which would have delayed the safety improvement until next year.

This is just one example of the unique opportunities we have to work collaboratively with local stakeholders. I'm reminded of the success of these efforts as I look at some of the many improvements already completed around the bridge project. Ongoing coordination and communication between the project construction team, the local communities and park users will continue through completion of the new Willamette River Bridge in spring 2014.