N Cherry Street closure affects parking and travel in La Grande

La Grande Public Works carried out a short-term closure of N Cherry Street on Tuesday, Jan. 13, closing the block between Eat O Avenue and Cove Avenue from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The work addressed sewer line construction and required the city to restrict vehicle access and on-street parking in the immediate work zone.

The closure was announced as a standard city operations advisory intended to give residents time to plan alternate parking and travel. Motorists who normally use N Cherry to access downtown streets or nearby neighborhoods experienced a daytime detour, and residents with driveways or curbside parking on the affected block were asked not to park on N Cherry during the closure to allow crews room to operate and to prevent delays to the construction schedule.

Public Works handled traffic control and vehicle access around the work area to maintain safety for both workers and drivers. The department provided a contact number for questions and follow-up: La Grande Public Works at 541-962-1325. Residents seeking clarification about parking restrictions, work timelines, or potential impacts to utilities were advised to call that number.

While this closure was brief and localized, it illustrates the routine infrastructure work that keeps the city’s sewer system functioning and reduces the likelihood of larger disruptions later. Short daytime closures like this are common when crews need full lane access to dig or install piping safely; the city’s advisory approach aimed to minimize inconvenience by notifying affected residents in advance.

Local businesses and commuters on nearby streets reported that the closure created modest rerouting and concentrated traffic on parallel streets during the morning hours. For drivers traveling during the closure window, extra travel time was the primary impact. Residents with mobility needs or scheduled deliveries on that block were encouraged to arrange alternate access before the work began.

Looking ahead, residents should expect similar short-term advisories when La Grande schedules maintenance or upgrades to underground utilities. If you live, work, or park on N Cherry or adjacent blocks, plan alternate parking and travel on days when Public Works issues notices, and use the provided phone line for questions or to report problems related to the work.