The Oregon Department of Transportation will close the southbound on-ramp to Interstate 5 starting today.
ODOT is closing the on-ramp to install supports for a new sign bridge spanning the highway.
The installations involve removing concrete pavement from the on-ramp.
Traffic heading toward the on-ramp will now be directed further down Franklin Boulevard in Springfield to Glenwood Boulevard, the next-closest southbound on-ramp from the University.
Signs will warn drivers of the closure and will direct traffic to this exit.
Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners spokesperson Alyson Angelo said she hopes the closure won’t cause too much confusion in Eugene, especially for out-of-towners, in the days following the Civil War game and the end of fall term. Angelo said ODOT waited until after Thanksgiving break to start the project, though, because many students headed south to go home during that time.
Angelo recommended anyone who may be inconvenienced by the closure to plan ahead and leave for the drive earlier than usual.
Both northbound and southbound lanes near the Franklin Boulevard exit are also projected to be closed on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at night.
Construction will continue through winter break and is projected to last until Jan. 22.
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