Rhododendron Drive Realignment and Improvement Project

Project Type:

Capital Project

Project Status:

Under Construction

Location:

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.

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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.

View the Project FAQ here.

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

Safety Reminder: Rhododendron Drive is Closed in the Construction Zone

Our contractor, K&E Excavating has asked that we remind the community that Rhododendron Drive is closed during construction unless people are accessing a residence, the Oregon Coast Human Society, or the Lane County Transfer Station.

This closure includes bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as vehicular traffic. They have seen an increase in bicyclists and pedestrians trying to pass through the corridor. This is unsafe in an active construction zone. Please help keep the construction zone safe and adhere to the road closed signs and the instructions from the crews working.

Thank you for keeping this project moving efficiently and safely!

Construction Update - Week of July 15th

K&E Excavating crews have been completing working the final grading of the roadway in preparations to pave Rhododendron Drive from the south side of New Hope Lane to the north side of 35th Street, in addition to working on ADA ramps and sidewalks. The soil nail wall specialty contractor has started the process to install the actual soil nails in the retaining wall for the elevated section of the multi-use path.

For the week of July 15th, K&E Excavating’s crews will be paving Rhododendron Drive from the south side of New Hope Lane to the north side of 35th Street. This work will include compaction and vibration in the paving area. Work on the soil nail wall will also continue.

⛔ While sections of the roadway and multi-use path will soon have new pavement, it is not open for public use. This area is still an active construction zone and is closed to bicycles, pedestrians, and through traffic.

What is shotcrete? Shotcrete is used in the construction of the soil nail wall to seal the plate that covers the exposed end of the soil nails. In addition, a thin layer (approximately 1.5-inches) of shotcrete has been applied on the exposed cut slope that will be above the retaining wall to help keep the sandy soils from eroding into the gutter along the top of the retaining wall and spilling onto the multi-use path below.

Rhody Drive Realignment & Improvement Project Update - Week of July 8th

K&E Excavating made quick work during the shortened holiday week and paved the separated multi-use path from 35th to New Hope Lane. K&E crews paved that section of the path in two days, allowing them to complete cleanup work as well as placement of composted yard debris (not FloGro) to cover the bare sand and soils on the east side of the multi-use path.

⛔ While this section of the multi-use path is paved, it is not open for public use yet. This area is still an active construction zone and is closed to bicycles, pedestrians, and through traffic.

For the week of July 8th, K&E Excavating’s crews will be working on Rhody Drive between 35th and New Hope Lane completing the final grade work, including using laser-guided transits and automatic motor graders to grade the surface to be paved. They will be preparing the sub-base through compaction rolling the gravel in preparation to pave Rhody Drive from just north of 35th Street to the south side of New Hope Lane. Work will also continue drilling the vertical columns for the soil nail wall system.

What is compaction rolling? Compaction rolling utilizes vibratory rollers to further compact the gravel to ensure that the sub base provides a stable surface to support the new pavement. Compaction is an important part of this preparation process. When areas are filled in to reach the required elevation level, compaction gets the soils into thin layers. These thin layers produce a flat, highly dense soil that will remain stable under the new pavement and extend the life of the roadway.

Construction Update - Week of July 1st

K&E Excavating has mobilized the soil nail wall subcontractor to begin work on the large retaining wall for the elevated portion of the multi-use path. K&E also brought in their asphalt milling machine to grind out some additional pavement on Rhododendron Drive near Wildwinds and at 35th Street. Work continued on the new curbs and ADA ramps.

For the week of July 1st, construction work will occur Monday to Wednesday. K&E crews are continuing their effort to grade for the multi-use path between 35th and New Hope Lane along Rhododendron Drive. Paving of the multi-use path is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, depending on weather. The soil nail wall system construction will continue, with drilling of the vertical columns for the wall system in the area south of New Hope Lane.

A New Discovery: A sink hole developed on the shoulder of Rhododendron Drive in the area of an abandoned stormwater crossing on Rhododendron Drive. K&E and the City excavated to find the cause, but the results were inconclusive. Since it is in the area of the abandoned stormwater line, City crews will excavate and uncover the stormwater line, cut the stormwater line (it was supposed to be grout filled and abandoned in place) to see if there is a void in the actual pipe that is allowing water to flow through the pipe and siphon away soil creating the sink hole. Thankfully they found it now and can address it!

Rhody Drive Realignment & Improvement Project Update - Week of June 24th

K&E Excavating continued work on the pedestrian crossing, curbs, and ADA ramps. They began work to prep the multi-use path for paving and continued preparations for the installation of the soil nail wall. CLPUD and other utilities continued work on relocation of utilities throughout the project area.

For the week of June 24th, work will continue preparing for paving the multi-use pathway. Paving of the path is anticipated to begin the first week of July. Additionally, K&E Excavating's subcontractor for the soil nail wall will being mobilizing this week and work will begin on the retaining wall.

What can I expect during paving activities? The areas to be paved throughout the project will include compaction and rolling during paving. This process does result in some vibration that residents and visitors near the project area will feel. Unlike the prior compaction activities that added additional fill south of the transfer station, these activities will faster and not ongoing. The fill at the transfer station needed to be compacted after every one foot of fill, which is why it lasted several days. For paving, they will compact and roll during the paving process, but it will complete after that.

Construction Update - Week of June 17th

K&E Excavating successfully completed the installation of the final customer sewer laterals last week. Prior to the actual final connections, the contractor poured the new channels in the manholes. With this work complete, they we able to place the new 18-inch sewer line into service. The concrete specialty contractor for K&E Excavating continued to install the new curbs and ADA ramps for the multi-use path and roadway.

For the week of June 17th, work will continue on forming and pouring the new curbs for the roadway. With the sewer line complete, crews will work on preparing to pave the sewer trench north of 35th. They will also be completing grading work for the multi-use path. Additionally, as CLPUD completes their relocation of the electrical transmission and distribution lines, K&E Excavating will begin the process of preparing the slope areas south of New Hope Lane for the soil nail retaining wall system.

What is a Soil Nail Wall? A soil nail wall uses grouted, tension-resisting steel (nails) to reinforce soils and create a gravity retaining wall for permanent support. Soil nail walls are constructed from the top down. Soil is excavated in three to six foot deep stages. After each excavation stage, near-horizontal holes are drilled into the exposed face at typically three to six-foot centers. Tension-resisting steel bars are inserted into the holes and grouted in place. A drainage system is installed on the exposed face, followed by the application of reinforced shotcrete wall facing. The finished soil nails produce a zone of reinforced ground.

Construction Update - Week of June 10th

K&E Excavating successfully completed the 18-inch sewer line installation this week! The contractors were also able to construct a temporary bypass at 35th Street to keep traffic moving during the construction at the intersection. Concrete specialty contractors have installed the new curbs and ADA ramp for the 10-foot-wide multi-use path on the south side of New Hope Lane, as well as the curbing for the pedestrian crossing on the NW corner of New Hope Lane and Rhododendron Drive. Central Lincoln PUD have begun the process of pulling in the new electrical transmission and distribution lines.

For the week of June 10th, will continue their work installing the new sewer service laterals and testing the new 18-inch sewer main. The concrete specialty contractor will continue their work forming and pouring the new curbs for the roadway. Additionally, as Central Lincoln PUD completes their relocation of the electrical transmission and distribution lines, K&E Excavating will begin the process of preparing the slope areas south of New Hope Lane for the retaining wall system.

What happens once the sewer line is installed? Once the new 18-inch sewer line has passed the air and vacuum tests, including the manholes, they will video inspect the new line. After successfully passing all tests, the contractor will then make the final connection to the existing sewer line north of 35th. Once all of this work is completed, the contractor will complete permanent trench patching of the sewer line on Rhododendron Drive from 35th, north to the final connection point.

Construction Update - Week of June 3rd

K&E Excavating continued installation of the 18-inch sanitary sewer line last week. In addition, they completed the new shoulder along New Hope Lane with stormwater facilities, and continued work on placing fill for the new multi-use path. CLPUD also continued their work on relocating utility poles and lines.

⚠️ Due to work at 35th Street to tie in the new sewer line with the system and trenching through the intersection, additional flaggers will be at the Rhody & 35th Street intersection with traffic reduced to one lane. Motorists should plan on an additional 10 minutes of travel time if traveling in this area. Residents living in the area of Rhododendron Drive north of 35th Street are advised to use to Heceta Beach Road to get to Hwy 101 in order to avoid traffic congestion.

For the week of June 3rd, K&E Excavating will continue their work installing the new sewer main line in Rhododendron Drive north of 35th. They will also continue retaining wall installation and begin curb installation.

Did you know? This Friday (Noon - 5pm) and Saturday (8am - 2pm) is the FREE Florence Household Hazardous Waste Collection at the Lane County Transfer Station. K& Excavating will be making sure the construction zone is safe for those attending the event starting at noon on Friday. For full details on the disposal event, visit https://www.ci.florence.or.us/bc-emac/florence-household-hazardous-waste-collection-event.

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 May 27th

K&E Excavating continued installation of the 18-inch sanitary sewer line last week. In addition, they worked on relocating fire hydrants, installation of the new stormwater catch basin for the Transfer Station, construction of retaining walls, and work on placing fill for the new multi-use path. CLPUD also continued their work on relocating utility poles and lines.

Memorial Day - K&E Excavating will not be on site Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. They will begin work on Tuesday this week.

For the week of May 27th, K&E Excavating will continue their work on Tuesday installing the new sewer main line northward towards 35th Street. They will also continue their work cutting the slope back between New Hope Lane and the south end of the river overlook area in preparation for the retaining wall. Crews will also be placing additional fill material in the area east of Wildwinds.

Did you know? Since New Hope Lane has to consistently carry weighted loads from the semi-trucks that transfer the trash from Florence to Short Mountain Landfill east of Eugene, the new pavement section is 12-inches of compacted crushed rock with 6-inches of Mot Mix Asphalt Cement (HMAC). This compares to a typical cross section of 4-inches of HMAC on top of 8-inches of crushed rock. As of last week, New Hope Lane is now fully paved and this portion of the project is complete!

Construction Update - Week of May 20th

K&E Excavating completed the water tie-ins at Marine Manner, New Hope Lane and Wildwinds on Tuesday, May 14th. With this work completed, the new water system is online and operational. They also put in a full week of installing the 18-inch sanitary sewer line. CLPUD was also able to access the final section of the construction area to relocated their utility poles once it was cleared for the new roadway and multi-use path realignment.

For the week of May 20th, K&E Excavating will continue their work installing the new sewer main line northward towards 35th Street, as well as stormwater catch basin installation near the Transfer Station. In addition, they are scheduled to pave New Hope Lane beginning Wednesday, May 23rd through noon on Friday.

With the new sewer line installation, residents that live in the 3400 block of Rhododendron Drive and south (including Marine Manor) should use 9th Street to access your homes. Due to the sewer line work, the area north of these residents near the sewer pump station will be for emergency access only.

Did you know? Due to the depth of the new sewer main line, the contractor encountered what we refer to as ‘blow sand.' Blow sand is an extremely dry and fine sand which is not stable and flows like water into the trench. This required the contractor to use extra care and driving 1-inch-thick metal sheets alongside their trench box in order to keep the ‘blow sand’ from filling the trench and making the excavation extremely wide. With the additional care comes time and slows the production rate (amount of pipe material that the contractor can install). Given the circumstances the contractor is still advancing the project in a timely manner.

Construction Update - Week of May 13th

K&E Excavating plans to have work wrapped up this week on Thursday due to Rhody Days!

K&E Excavating completed the 24-inch core drilling of the Siuslaw Village Sewer Pump Station wet well for the new 18-inch gravity sewer line last week, they cleaned the existing stormwater lines in preparation for connecting the new lines, and they began relocating fire hydrants between 35th Street and New Hope Lane.

For the week of May 13th, K&E Excavating will continue their work installing the new sewer main line northward towards 35th Street, and work on the tie-ins for the new water system.

On Tuesday, May 14th, they will be working on the final water tie-ins, which will require a water system shut down from 9am until 3pm. Water customers in Marine Manor, Wildwinds, as well at the Humane Society and Transfer Station, will not have water during that time. We anticipate the impact will be shorter, but we like to prepare for unknowns in our timing window.

What happens to the wastewater during the transition to the new line? Well... the contractor installed the bypass sewer pumping system to transfer the sewer from one of the active sanitary sewer manholes to the pump station to facilitate the installation of the new manhole over to the existing sewer line. The installation of an 18-inch sewer line is a bit slower than that of a water main line. With the sewer line deeper and then having to install the manholes, the process just takes longer.

Construction Update - Week of May 6th

K&E Excavating continues to move efficiently. They brought in a second crew last week and began asphalt grinding from Wildwinds to New Hope Lane. They continued work on the water and stormwater systems in the project area. In addition, they met with the City project team and Lane County Waste Management for coordination.

For the week of May 6th, the contractor will continue their work in realigning and reconstructing New Hope Lane and work on the retaining walls. They will continuing their way north with the milling machines to complete the asphalt grinding between New Hope Lane to 35th Street. Work on the installation of the new sewer main line, beginning at the Siuslaw Village sewer pump station and working north will also begin this week.

Construction Update - Week of April 29th

K&E Excavating continues to make fast work of the project. Last week they completed the installation of the Ultrablock precast concrete retaining wall #1, which is located north of the Siuslaw Village sewer pump station (south of 35th Street). They also started to install the Ultrablock precast concrete retaining wall #5, which is located on the west side of Rhododendron Drive north of Wildwinds Street. K&E Excavating crews completed work on various portions of the new stormwater system, including pouring a pour in place manhole bottom where the new stormwater system connects to the existing stormwater system at Wildwinds.

For the week of April 29th, the contractor will continue their work in realigning and reconstructing New Hope Lane and complete the installation of Retaining Wall #5. The contractor will also be continuing their work widening the roadway section north of New Hope Lane to accommodate stormwater facilities as well as the separated multi-use path.

With the contractor continuing the work 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.

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.

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