Drivers heading into and out of the area via the McCullough Bridge can expect short delays tonight and Wednesday evening due to a lane closure.

According to an Oregon Department of Transportation press release, a lane will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day. One lane will remain open and traffic will be controlled using pilot cars and flaggers.

The lane closures are necessary to perform preparation work to repair the bridge’s concrete exterior.

Additionally, the east end sidewalk on the bridge is closed for the remainder of the year to accommodate rail replacement work. This closure began on Monday. The west end sidewalk will remain open during the project, although it will be restricted to a width of 2-feet, 9-inches throughout the work zone. Vehicular traffic will not be impacted by the sidewalk closure and both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 will remain open for now.

The rail replacement work is part of a $30 million construction project to extend the life of the bridge. The project is expected to last four years. For additional information, those interested can contact ODOT Project Inspector Ted Bennison at (541) 290-6166.