ODOT about two-thirds of the way through upgrades of 159 sidewalk ramps; completion expected in June

Rogue Valley Times staff

A project to bring 159 sidewalk ramps in Ashland into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is about 70% complete, with about 50 ramps to go.

The rest of the $4.8 million project, which focuses on North Main Street, the downtown area and Siskiyou Boulevard, should be completed by June 15, according to information released by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The contractor, Granite Construction, broke off the job in early December to make way for Ashland’s holiday shopping season and due to winter weather and cold temperatures that hampered the project. It also allowed them to get right of way approval on some outstanding corners, ODOT said. 

Crews will return to Ashland through June to continue the curb ramp updates.

Through March 17, work will begin at:

• North Main at Coolidge, SW ramp

• North Main at Nursery, NW corner

• North Main at Skidmore, NE corner

• North Main at Bush, east corners

• Siskiyou Boulevard at Clay, SW corner

• Siskiyou Boulevard and Tolman Creek Road, NW corner

Temporary pedestrian access will be maintained, ODOT said. Construction hours will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Users should expect possible short delays of up to 20 minutes.

This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.