Interstate Five travelers will endure three weeks of daily delays between Ashland and Medford, now that work has begun on an excavation project.
The project, related to a new Phoenix interchange (exit 24 in Oregon), will install a large drainage pipe under the freeway north of the exit.
While the work goes on, traffic will be restricted to a single lane in each direction. The Oregon Department of Transportation--ODOT--expects delays of up to 20 minutes each way.
And the work schedule allows the contractor up to 25 days to complete the work. ODOT counsels travelers to seek alternate routes. The ramps at South Medford (exit 27) and North Ashland (exit 19) offer reasonably speedy access to Oregon 99 for through travelers.
You can get a glimpse of traffic levels from
