The arrow marking south is the existing two lane portion of 97 which will eventually be two lanes of southbound traffic. The arrow marking north shows that ODOT has already begun removing trees for the northbound lanes of traffic. Photo taken by Century Drive/97 Interchange.
Drawing of the new North bound lane being constructed between South Century Dr. and Lava Butte.ODOT and the US Forest Service are beginning work on the Highway 97 improvement project between the Sunriver/South Century interchange and Lava Butte. Forest clearing operations will be conducted to the east of the current highway in preparation for construction of an additional two lanes of traffic and a separate frontage road that will give access to Lave River Cave and Lava Lands Visitor’s Center. The $31 million project will also provide an improved interchange at Cottonwood Rd. Using stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ODOT and the Forest Service are contracting with local companies to do much of the work. They estimate the construction jobs will sustain about 430 local family wage jobs for the duration of the project (completion due by fall 2011). Info - Click here for more information.
