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Rhododendron Drive Realignment and Improvement Project
Project Type:
Capital Project
Project Status:
Under Construction
Location:
Rhododendron Drive
Rhododendron Drive
Florence,
OR
97439
See map: Google Maps
Rhododendron Drive Realignment and Improvement Project Open House
Did you miss the Rhody Drive Realignment and Improvement Project Open House? No problem! You can watch the presentation here.
During the March 6th Open House, City of Florence staff, RH2 Engineering, and K&E Excavating provided an informational presentation on the project that is set to start March 11, 2024.
This project aims to realign and improve Rhododendron Drive from Wildwinds to 35th Street, including water and sewer lines, retaining walls, roadway realignment and more.
Sign Up for Project Email Updates
Join our mailing list for email updates via the City's website. Click here to subscribe to the Rhody Drive Construction Project Updates.
Project FAQ
Our Project Team has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers related to the Rhododendron Drive Realignment and Improvement Project. Questions that were asked during the Project Open House in March have been included on the website below. As we receive questions throughout the project, this list will be updated.
About the Project
Our project is not merely a roadway reconstruction project. It is also a water and wastewater pipe line replacement project along with the installation of a separated multi-use path. The project will also shift or move the roadway to the east in the area of Marine Manor south to the end of the river overlook pullout area. This is necessary in order to improve vision clearance (sight lines) and provide an enhanced parking area along the river.
One of the key features of the project is dealing with the slopes on the east side of Rhododendron Drive south of New Hope Lane. The project utilizes the slope to the benefit of the project by incorporating the multi-use path and elevating it in this section of the project. This will allow pedestrians and bicyclists a view of the river and sand dunes from above vehicle level.
The project will also install a pedestrian activated signal to allow pedestrians and bicyclists an opportunity to cross Rhododendron Drive east to west at New Hope Lane so they too can have access to the river.
Construction of this project is expected to take two years to complete due to the nature of the project, which includes utility relocation (overhead); retaining walls; vegetated stormwater facilities; realignment of the roadway; creation of a separated multi-use path; and realignment and reconstruction of New Hope Lane (in partnership with Lane County Waste Management Division).
Status Updates
Construction Update - Business Access
Business access to the Lane County Transfer Station and the Oregon Coast Humane Society will remain available from 9th Street. Please proceed cautiously through the work zones if needing business or residential access, and adhere to the flaggers during construction to keep the crews and public safe.
Construction Update - Week of April 22nd
K&E Excavating completed the new water line installation along Rhody Drive last week, as well as completed one of the retaining walls. They were also hard at work installing the irrigation system for the landscape planter along the Siuslaw River overlook area, installing stormwater infrastructure, and installing new water services and meters for when we transfer service to the new water main. Central Lincoln PUD crews have also been in the area setting the relocated utility poles.
For the week of April 22nd, the contractor will continue work to widen the road base, installation of the new sewer line, and begin construction for the realignment of New Hope Lane.
With the contractor beginning to realign and reconstruct New Hope Lane, access to the Oregon Coast Humane Society and the Lane County Transfer Station will be available, however, there will be flaggers staged to control traffic. Motorists can expect some delay in entering and exiting New Hope Lane
Heceta Beach Road Paving - Week of April 15th
The City was notified last week by Heceta Water Peoples Utility District (Heceta Water PUD) that their contractor may begin paving operations on the west bound lane of Heceta Beach Road between Hwy 101 and Rhododendron Drive/4th Avenue, weather dependent, starting Monday, April 15th.
Their contractor will be completing a grind/inlay of the west bound travel lane as part of Heceta Water PUD 16-inch water main installation project. A grind/inlay is when a large machine, commonly called a milling machine or profiler is used to grind out 2-inches of the travel lane pavement. Once the travel lane has been milled, a paving machine is brought in to place the new pavement and rollers are used to compact the new asphalt.
This is not part of the Rhododendron Drive Realignment & Improvement Project.
Depending on traffic, motorist’s can expect a 10-15 minute delay if they are traveling on Heceta Beach Road. Since the only alternate to Heceta Beach Road is 35th Street, residents in the Heceta Beach area may want to choose to travel on 35th Street to reach Hwy 101 in order to avoid the paving delay. This may create additional traffic and congestion on 35th Street. We request everyone’s patience as they seek alternate routes impacted by construction activities.
If you have any questions on this paving project, please contact Heceta Water PUD at 541-997-2446 or online at https://hwpud.com/contact-us.
Construction Update - Week of April 15th
K&E Excavating has been busy with the new water main installation and starting the retaining wall construction. Central Lincoln PUD crews have also been in the area trimming trees and relocating the utility poles.
For the week of April 15th, the contractor will continue work on the retaining wall towards the north end of the project area, continue widening the road base for the realignment and improvements, and continue installation of the new 8-inch water main.
Construction Update - Week of April 8th
K&E Excavating has been clearing, grubbing, and widening on the east side of Rhododendron Drive for the creating the stormwater swale and the multi-use path, as well as excavation related to the retaining walls. Crews have also been removing vegetation in the work area under the existing utility poles to prepare for relocation.
For the week of April 8th, the contractor will continue work on the retaining wall towards the north end of the project area, continue widening the road base for the realignment and improvements, and will begin to install the new 8-inch water main starting at the south end of Marine Manor and work south to Wildwinds.
Construction Update - Week of April 1st
It might be April Fool's Day, but we aren't fooling anyone... K&E Excavating, Inc is starting to move Rhody Drive!
Construction activity this week includes finishing up clearing and grubbing in the project area. They will continue working on the west side of Rhody Drive where the road will be widened. Starting this week, the contractor will begin working on the retaining walls along the corridor.
For the week of April 1st, Rhododendron Drive will continue to be closed to thru traffic from 9th Street to 35th Street. Residents in the area from Marine Manor to 35th Street will continue to have access through the construction zone. Please proceed cautiously through the work zones if needing business or residential access. Please adhere to the flaggers during construction to keep the crews and public safe. Please use alternate routes for all other travel.
Construction Update - Week of March 25th
K&E Excavating, Inc has construction activity in full swing. Beginning Monday, March 25th, Rhododendron Drive will be closed to through traffic from 9th Street to 35th Street. Flaggers will be stationed at 35th Street and Wildwinds Street. Please adhere to the flaggers during construction to keep the crews and public safe.
Construction activity this week includes site preparation in the project area, tree trimming by Central Lincoln PUD in preparation for moving power and communications lines, and additional utility work.
Construction Update - Week of March 18th
K&E Excavating, Inc began construction activity on Rhododendron Drive near 35th Street on Monday, March 18th. The contractor will be clearing and grubbing north of the intersection of 35th Street on the west side of Rhododendron Drive. Work will continue to the south of the intersection.
This work will require a temporary lane closure of the south bound lane of Rhododendron Drive and traffic control and flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Duration of a stop at a flagger location is dependent upon how much traffic is occurring. During certain times of the day, traffic stoppage will be very minimal (less than five minutes) but during peak time (larger volumes of traffic) the motoring public should plan on an additional 10 minutes of travel time to get to their destination.
City of Florence Public Works crews will also be working in the area on the west side of Rhododendron Drive. City crews will be removing an old metered water inter-tie connection that was discovered during site investigative work in relation to the widening that will occur at the intersection of 35th and Rhododendron Drive.
