La Grande Public Works to Close Washington Avenue Area for Maintenance Tuesday

The city-owned parking lot on Washington Avenue between 4th Street and Depot Street will be closed Thursday, March 19, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. while La Grande Public Works performs routine maintenance. The lot sits adjacent to Copperhead Jiujitsu and serves a stretch of downtown that has already seen significant disruption this week.

Tuesday's street closures were considerably larger in scope. La Grande Public Works closed Washington Avenue from 4th Street to Elm and Depot Street from Adams to 5th Street beginning at 6 a.m. on March 17 to excavate and install a new water line inside the Washington and Depot intersection. No traffic was permitted to enter that intersection until crews completed work and vacated the zone.

During the March 17 closure, drivers needing to reach the Post Office were directed to approach from Elm and 6th streets. Public Works asked motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area entirely if possible, citing safety for both the public and utility workers on site.

Thursday's parking lot closure carries no stated connection to the water line installation two days prior. Public Works issued it as a separate short public-service notice covering only the four-hour morning window.

Anyone with questions about either closure can contact La Grande Public Works at 541-962-1325.