Memorial day kicks off the summer driving season. Authorities are asking drivers to be careful -- especially around the dozens of construction projects.
In the Portland area, construction crews will be paving US 26 from Sylvan to Interstate 405. They'll be resurfacing I-5 from Holliday Street to the Marquam Bridge. And they'll continue replacing twin viaducts on I-5 at Iowa Street.
Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman, Don Hamilton, says while all that work can cause traffic hassles, it's good for the economy.
"There's a lot of money that's being spent by ODOT and this is all going to Oregon companies and Oregon employment all over the state. There's thousands of jobs that are being sustained … from the workers, and from the asphalt companies and from a lot of the companies that provide the help during the construction season," says Hamilton
In Eugene, work will continue on the Willamette River bridge on the I-5. It's not expected to be completed for another two years.
And on the coast, work will continue on the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Several spots along Route 101 are scheduled for repairs.
