(Lincoln City, Oregon) – Three parts of the Oregon coast will be seeing some construction and traffic delays – although none should be very significant. Part of Lincoln City, Astoria's Youngs Bay Bridge and a part of Highway 6 to and from Tillamook will be going under the knife.
Construction on the Devils Lake Fork Bridge along OR 6 is set to begin the week of Feb. 9, bringing daytime work, lane restrictions, and long-term weight limits to the busy coastal route. Drivers should expect single-lane closures controlled by an automated flagging device from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Most activity will take place beneath the bridge, and crews warn of construction noise and delays throughout the project. Work is scheduled to continue into 2026.
Heavy-vehicle operators should note that the bridge will be restricted to permit weight tables 3 through 5 during construction. ODOT urges drivers to review the Commerce and Compliance Division’s vehicle dimension and weight guidelines before traveling. The agency also reminds motorists that automated flagger assistant devices are staffed by workers who may not be visible; drivers must stop for a red light and lowered flag, wait for the arm to rise fully before proceeding, and use caution when the light is flashing orange.
The Devils Lake Fork Bridge is a key freight and tourism link between the Portland metro area and the coast. Planned repairs include removing rust, replacing worn or damaged bolts and rivets, and applying a new coat of paint to strengthen and preserve the structure.
Motorists heading to the coast for winter and early spring getaways are encouraged to plan extra time, particularly during weekday travel windows. Freight haulers, RV drivers and commuters using Highway 6 will likely feel the greatest impact, while weekend visitors may notice only brief slowdowns. ODOT officials say the work is designed to extend the life of the bridge for decades and reduce the need for more disruptive closures in the future.
Additional curb and ramp construction is underway in Lincoln City. ODOT thanked the public for its patience during the recent closure of NW 14th Street, where crews installed new curb ramps and pedestrian push buttons as part of the citywide ADA curb ramp project. Work has now shifted to the east side of U.S. 101 at NE 14th Street.
From Feb. 10–12, nighttime construction will bring noise and single-lane access closures between U.S. 101 and NE 14th Street from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. NE 14th Street will remain open to eastbound one-way traffic during those hours, with a signed detour directing westbound drivers to NE Oar Avenue and NE 17th Street to reach the U.S. 101 signal. Two-way access will remain open during daytime hours. Depending on weather and progress, night work and detours may continue Feb. 17–19, though no detours are planned over Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 14–16.
ODOT says closing westbound access helps protect crews, speed up construction, and maintain pedestrian access on the east side of the highway.
Farther north, work continues on Astoria’s Old Youngs Bay Bridge. Although most repairs are occurring beneath the structure, ODOT said three more full daytime closures are needed to complete the project safely. Two of those closures are scheduled for Feb. 12 and Feb. 18, when the bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic will be detoured to the U.S. 101 New Youngs Bay Bridge.
A final closure is expected in late March or early April.
“We'll send out another update about the final closure when we have a better idea about our schedule,” ODOT said..
The three projects represent routine but essential maintenance along some of the Oregon Coast’s most heavily traveled corridors. Highway 6 serves as a primary connector between the Portland metro area and Tillamook County, carrying commercial deliveries, seafood transport and year-round tourism traffic. Even minor delays can ripple through coastal communities that depend on reliable access.
In Lincoln City, the ADA ramp upgrades are part of a multiyear effort to make U.S. 101 safer for pedestrians. The new push buttons and curb designs meet updated federal accessibility standards and are expected to improve crossing times for seniors, visitors and residents with mobility challenges.
Transportation officials recommend:
Emergency vehicles will maintain access through all work zones, and local businesses will remain open during construction periods.
Most of the work is scheduled around winter and spring weather windows. Crews say paint and steel repairs on the Devils Lake Fork Bridge must be completed in dry conditions, which could extend the timeline if storms persist. The Lincoln City ADA project is expected to wrap later this year, while the Youngs Bay Bridge repairs are entering their final phase.
ODOT emphasized that the short-term inconvenience will result in safer structures, smoother traffic flow and improved pedestrian facilities for the millions who travel the coast each year.
Originally reported by Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff in Beach Connection.
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