The new underpass beneath Highway 213 in Oregon City, made possible by the bridge installed during the four-day highway closure in March, will open to traffic for the first time as part of a detour route for a closure on Clackamas River Drive.

Mowat Construction Co., the Jughandle Project contractor, is temporarily closing a 600-foot stretch of Clackamas River Drive near its intersection with Highway 213 beginning July 17.

The closure, scheduled to last up to six weeks, allows the contractor to realign, widen and lower the existing roadway by about eight feet to match the grade of the new underpass and an adjoining new roundabout.

The detour route for the closure will direct motorists traveling west on Clackamas River Drive through the new roundabout and along the Washington Street underpass in order to access Highway 213 from the west. The reverse route will be signed for motorists traveling from Highway 213 and Washington Street to Clackamas River Drive. A map of the detour route is available at Jughandleproject.com/detour.html.

The 76/Pacific Pride gas station at the corner of Clackamas River Drive and Highway 213 will be open and accessible from Highway 213 during the temporary closure.

First Oregon City roundabout

The new roundabout on Clackamas River Drive is the first modern roundabout built in Oregon City.

It will ultimately have three approaches: the Washington Street underpass, the eastern portion of Clackamas River Drive, and the western portion of Clackamas River Drive that intersects with Highway 213.

Only two of the roundabout’s three approaches will be open while it is in use for the detour. The roundabout will be fully operational after the contractor completes the reconstruction of the western portion of Clackamas River Drive.

“Roundabouts have proven safety benefits and, by keeping vehicles moving, they can reduce congestion and idling time,” said Kathy Griffin of Oregon City Public Works. “Roundabouts also typically cost less to maintain than a signalized intersection.”

The Jughandle Project implements the first phase of a transportation improvement plan for Highway 213 between the Interstate 205 interchange and Redland Road in Oregon City. About 65,000 trips are made daily on Highway 213 immediately south of the Interstate 205 interchange and stop-and-go conditions routinely delay travelers during commuter rush hours.

Oregon City, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, is planning to reduce congestion, enhance safety and increase capacity to accommodate current traffic demands and future growth.