Oregon Department of Transportation contractor McCafferty-Whittle Construction of Gladstone has begun preliminary work on a $4.7 million, multi-highway project in Union and Baker counties.

The construction areas include Highway 30 from Interstate 84, Exit 259 to the west side of La Grande, and the east side of La Grande to Union on the La Grande-Union Highway.

Other areas include Telocaset to the north end of Baker City on the Union-North Powder Highway and the La Grande-Baker Highway.

Pavement work will not be done through downtown areas of La Grande, Union, North Powder or Haines.

Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes, with flaggers directing traffic in small work zones, and pilot cars escorting traffic through longer work areas.

All travelers are reminded to watch for construction crews, slow down and drive with extra caution in all project areas.

A separate project will be undertaken by ODOT maintenance crews along the Medical Springs Highway between Catherine Creek State Park and Baker City later in the summer.

Starting this week, contractors will be installing temporary construction signs along some of the project areas, and begin guardrail upgrades between La Grande and Union on Oregon Highway 203, said ODOT spokesman Tom Strandberg.

Excavation work to widen Highway 30 between the Flying J Truck Stop and the I-84 Union Interchange on-ramps will also begin within the next few weeks to accommodate a new turn lane for eastbound freeway access.

"The new turn lane will improve safety at the interchange," Strandberg said.

Major paving will not start until May or June. But motorists can expect to see more workers in orange vests soon, said Strandberg.

"It will be another busy season as ODOT and their contractors resurface highway sections, repair and replace bridges, upgrade guardrails and construct other improvements that keep our road safe and ensure commuters and commerce can get where they need to go," Strandberg said.

The construction is also a sign of increased job opportunities for many Oregonians, Strandberg said.

"If you get delayed because of one of these projects, please remember that this work is bringing extra dollars to local communities and creating jobs for a lot of people," he said.

For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com, or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 5-1-1 or 1-800-977-6368.