Motorists along the riverfront in St. Helens will need to pack a lot of patience

Road construction in downtown St. Helens is a fact of life lately, and beginning the week of Monday, June 10, motorists will face a new headache.

Landis and Landis Construction is shifting their work area to the west side of St. Helens Street at the South First and St. Helens Street intersection.

The city, in a news release, says a full closure of St. Helens Street on the west side of the intersection is required while underground utility work takes place. The length of the closure was not immediately clarified.

According to the city, traffic coming into the St. Helens Riverfront District using St. Helens Street (eastbound traffic) will be detoured north onto South Second Street to Columbia Boulevard and down South First Street to enter the downtown area.

Traffic leaving the St. Helens Riverfront District can either use South First Street to Columbia Boulevard or travel through the city’s free parking lot next to the 2Cs Vendor Mall to access St. Helens Street at the South Second Street intersection, the city said.

“Please remember that the South First Street entrance to the city’s free parking lot is one-way only,” the news release said. “No vehicles are allowed to exit the parking lot onto South First Street.”

The city will maintain local access to businesses and residents during this phase, and two-way vehicle flow will be maintained along South First Street. Vehicle lanes will be tapered.

If you would like more information on the project, you can email waterfront@sthelensoregon.gov