By Heather Hintze

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Transportation and the city of Springfield will soon prepare for the next phase of construction at I-5 and Beltline and on Gateway Street in Springfield.

Beginning in early November, crews will remove shrubs, brush and trees along Gateway Street, Beltline Rd., and near the I-5 Beltline interchange. By the time construction is complete in 2011, crews will re-plant approximately 300 trees. The project will complete the northern leg of I-5/Beltline and widen Gateway Street.

The $25 million dollar project opens for bid in February, 2010, and construction will begin shortly after that. However, to comply with environmental rules, crews have to remove shrubs, brush and trees along the construction corridor before the next nesting season for migratory birds.

The joint construction project will:

· Add a new northbound I-5 off-ramp to eastbound Beltline

· Construct a new northbound I-5 on-ramp from westbound Beltline

· Widen Beltline between I-5 and Hutton Street

· Widen Gateway Street between Kruse Way and International Way

· Construct a new sound wall on the west side of I-5 between Harlow Rd. and Berkshire St.