Older News

This page holds all of the news articles that previously featured under the Recent Oregon Highway News section of the main page. Articles sorted by year.

Key

🔨 = Project information | 🚧 = Road closure information | 🔥 = Fire information | 💥 = Hazard information | 🧾 = Historical information | 🔊 = Audio version/podcast episode available | 📺 = Video | 💲 = Paywall | 💰 = Obnoxious paywall | 😡 = Other webpage annoyances | 💀 = Dead link

Articles

2023

December

Tolls on U.S. 26, Hwy 217? Local leaders to consider study’s proposal

(12/27/2023 — KOIN CBS 6 — Portland)

Tolling has been a hot topic in the Portland metro area throughout 2023, but that heat could spread next year as government leaders consider tolling on the west side. A new study by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Metro focused on improving gridlock during commute times on Highway 26 and Highway 217 — and proposed tolling as a possible solution.

Wilsonville City Council votes to survey public on I-5 and I-205 possible tolling plans

(12/23/2023 — KATU ABC 2 — Portland)

The Wilsonville City Council this week voted to join other cities in an effort to poll public opinion on adding tolls to I-5 and I-205. There is no official plan to add any tolls. In fact, Governor Kotek ordered ODOT to pause all tolling efforts until 2026.

🔨 Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project wins $600 million federal grant; $4 billion total now secured

(12/15/2023 — The Columbian — Vancouver, WA)

Christmas came early for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program in the form of a $600 million federal grant, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Oregon drivers can pass cyclists in no-passing zones starting in January

(12/12/2023 — Oregon Public Broadcasting — Portland)

A new law in Oregon will let drivers pass a slow-moving cyclist in a no-passing zone. Starting Jan. 1, vehicles traveling at less than half the speed limit will be considered road obstructions.

2022

September

Judge rules ODOT failed to comply with public records request

(9/27/2022 — The Oregonian — Portland, OR)

The state transportation department failed to provide the proper documents in response to a public records request, a judge determined on Monday. Portland lawyer Alan Kessler took the Oregon Department of Transportation to trial, alleging that the agency altered public records that he requested regarding a proposed expansion of Interstate 5 in Portland.

Oregon byway makes list of 7 scenic drives for fall foliage in U.S.

(9/26/2022 — KOIN CBS 6 — Portland, OR)

Hardy, coniferous trees are an icon of Central Oregon, but the region gets its fair share of fall color — just like western parts of the state. In fact, the “dazzling” red vine maple trees found along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway recently earned the stretch of roadway recognition on CNN’s list of “7 scenic drives across the United States for your fall foliage fix.”

🔨 Another traffic light is being installed on Coburg Road in Eugene

(9/22/2022 — KVAL 13 News — Eugene, OR)

In the next couple of months, you'll have another stop along Coburg Road in Eugene as a new traffic light is currently being installed. A planned development on the corner of Elysium Avenue and Coburg Road is the reason behind the new light. Neighbors have mixed reactions on what it will mean for traffic in the area.

🔨 C-Tran CEO Donaghy airs I-5 Bridge replacement plan worries

(9/22/2022 — The Columbian — Vancouver, WA)

C-Tran’s CEO Shawn Donaghy recently raised concerns about a breakdown in communication between the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and C-Tran. Donaghy, who spoke for roughly 25 minutes during the Sept. 13 C-Tran Board of Directors meeting, also raised concerns and frustrations about whether a proposed light rail station in Vancouver would be elevated, light rail activists within the bridge replacement team and where trains will be stored.

🚧 I-84 closures coming this weekend; Tri-met working on a new bridge

(9/21/2022 — KATU ABC 2 — Portland)

A KATU traffic alert,in two days both directions of I-84 will shut down near the I-205 interchange. The closure will last the entire weekend, starting at 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 23. I-84 should reopen by 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25. This is all for work on a new light rail bridge over the freeway. Drivers will need to find an alternate route during the closure.

🔨 The State Highway Department Withheld Information About the Billion-Dollar Rose Quarter Project

(9/21/2022 — Willamette Week — Portland)

A long-running disagreement over public information concerning a proposed $1 billion highway project is set for trial in Marion County Circuit Court next week. At issue is a seemingly straightforward question: What does the public think of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s plan to widen Interstate 5 at the Rose Quarter?

😡 📺 Welcome to the High Desert highway that is one-of-a-kind in Oregon

(9/21/2022 — Central Oregon Daily — Bend)

The Oregon Department Of Transportation owns and maintains about 8,000 miles of state highways. One small section of that 8,000 miles is unique. And it’s located in the High Desert. Oregon Highway 27 starts as Main Street in Prineville. On its entire 44.78-mile southbound route, there is only one sign telling you that you’re driving OR 27.

🔨 Highway Boondoggles, Part VII: Oregon’s Abernethy Insanity

(9/20/2022 — StreetsBlog USA)

Every day, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, more than 100,000 vehicles travel the seven-mile stretch of Interstate 205 between Stafford Road and Oregon Route 213 in Oregon City — the often congested last remaining four-lane section of I-205. As part of its “I-205 Improvements Project,” the agency’s solution is to add a third lane in each direction on I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 99E, as well as a northbound entrance-to-exit lane (or “auxiliary lane”) between OR 99E and OR 213.

🔨 ODOT enters design phase of new bridge over Willamette River near Green Acres Road

(9/20/2022 — KEZI-TV ABC 9 — Eugene)

The Oregon Department of Transportation has officially entered the design phase for a new bridge that runs over the Willamette River. Earlier this year, organizers ran into issues raising money to get the project started. Despite the fact they are still working to find the money to begin construction, they now have enough to dive deeper into the design phase.

🔨 I-5 Rose Quarter update: ODOT’s survey, Tubman relocation, and more

(9/20/2022 — BikePortland — Portland)

Now that the City of Portland and the Albina Vision Trust have both signed onto Oregon Department of Transportation plans to expand I-5 at the Rose Quarter it may seem like smooth sailing for the controversial project. And if Governor Kate Brown gets her wish, pro-freeway candidate Lee Beyer will be the next member of the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), which would give the project even more institutional support within the state legislature.

Environmentalists Want Gov. Kate Brown to Rescind Appointment to Transportation Commission

(9/20/2022 — Willamette Week — Portland)

On Aug. 31, Gov. Kate Brown announced she’d nominated 114 people to state boards and commissions. One of those picks is receiving significant blowback: Brown’s selection of outgoing state Sen. Lee Beyer (D-Springfield) to serve on the Oregon Transportation Commission. Eleven environmental groups—including 1000 Friends of Oregon, the Street Trust and Oregon Walks—penned a Sept. 13 letter to Brown objecting to Beyer’s nomination.

🔨 Why alternative Interstate 5 Bridge replacement ideas won’t work

(9/18/2022 — The Columbian — Vancouver, WA)

Nearly everyone agrees the Interstate 5 Bridge is not serving the region well. It would be catastrophically damaged in a big earthquake, it lacks breakdown and auxiliary lanes, it is not safe for pedestrians or cyclists and freeway congestion is terrible — heaven forbid you’re traveling north after 3 p.m. What people can’t agree on is what should replace it.

🚧 Highway 58 paving project moved to daytime hours

(9/17/2022 — KEZI-TV ABC 9 — Eugene)

Paving work along Highway 58 is switching to daytime hours starting September 19th. This is along Oregon Highway 58 from the tunnel to milepost 70. Officials with the Oregon Department of Transportation said in order to get all paving done with the weather is good, they are switching work to daytime hours.

🔥 Cascade Lakes Highway being used as a fuel break against Cedar Creek Fire

(9/12/2022 — Central Oregon Daily — Bend)

A second incident command was established at Mt. Bachelor over the weekend to manage the east side of the Cedar Creek Fire. One of many strategies being considered is using the Cascade Lakes Highway as a fuel break to prevent the fire from running east toward La Pine. Preparing the highway to function as a fuel break means the corridor will look very different whether fire reaches it or not.

🚧 🔥 Nearly 2-week closure of U.S. Highway 20 east of Sweet Home begins amid Hwy. 58 closure due to Cedar Creek Fire

(9/8/2022 — KTVZ NewsChannel 21 — Bend)

The nearly two-week construction and landslide repair closure of U.S. Highway 20 east of Sweet Home began Sunday, delayed by two days for traveler safety due to critical fire conditions. The closure originally was scheduled to begin Friday. ODOT urges travelers to visit TripCheck.com for the most current information.

August

Animal crossings over and under highways can save big dollars — not just lives — says new study

(8/31/2022 — Oregon Public Broadcasting — Portland)

Collisions between vehicles and large animals, like deer, are not only scary. The medical, car repair and cleanup costs really add up. That is according to a new study out of Washington State University that supports the case for building more wildlife crossings on highways. The Oregon and Washington transportation departments are adding wildlife overpasses, underpasses and related fencing bit by bit, as scarce funding allows.

ODOT to rename stretch of I-5 that honored former KKK member

(8/31/2022 — Portland Tribune — Portland)

Robert Hugh "Sam" Baldock, a renowned highway engineer who shaped Oregon's freeway system, was so accomplished that Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem was officially named the Baldock Freeway. But now Baldock's name is being scrubbed from state transportation facilities because Baldock was a past Ku Klux Klan member.

🧾 🔊 How freeway builders collided with Oregon’s growth management system

(8/5/2022 — Oregon Public Broadcasting — Portland)

[Meeky] Blizzard had become the leading face of political opposition to a proposed freeway that would have run along the fringes of Washington County’s suburban fringe. Known as the Westside Bypass, the 20-mile freeway was ardently sought by the county’s business and political leaders. But their freeway-building vision clashed with Oregon’s pioneering new growth management system — those rules about where and how land could be developed.