Oregon

[xonhulu]

A couple of interesting videos ODOT has up on blasting out a new Mitchell Point Tunnel for the Historic Columbia Highway State Trail:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6b7p1mVcrQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKOZDpsP2KU

[Bruce]

Another long research project finally finished: Interstate 205.

Now I can ignore Oregon for a bit while I finish up Washington. 

[Bruce]

A section of OR 213 is being transferred to the City of Portland to allow for pedestrian improvements

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/18/oregon-odot-portland-82nd-avenue-local-control/

[Dougtone]

The "Green Lady" of Oregon Coast bridges is the graceful Yaquina Bay Bridge, a 3,223 foot long arch bridge that US 101 uses to cross the Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/yaquina-bay-bridge-us-101-in-newport.html

[Dougtone]

Continuing an occasional series of the US 101 corridor in Oregon and Washington State, we land on the beautiful Siuslaw River Bridge. Spanning 1,568 feet across the Siuslaw River in Florence, Oregon, the Siuslaw River Bridge carries US 101 and was built in 1936.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/12/siuslaw-river-bridge-us-101-in-florence.html

[Dougtone]

Where the river meets the sea, the Astoria-Megler Bridge is a 4.1 mile long cantilever truss bridge crossing the Columbia River on US 101 between Astoria, Oregon and Megler, Washington. Opened in 1966 and later featured in a scene in the movie Short Circuit, the bridge cost $24 million to build.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/astoria-megler-bridge-us-101-over.html

[Dougtone]

Built in 1920, the 220 foot long Grave Creek Covered Bridge is located on what was US 99 in Sunny Valley, Oregon. Featuring a main span of 105 feet in length, this Howe through truss designed covered bridge is the only covered bridge that is visible from I-5.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/grave-creek-covered-bridge-josephine.html

[Dougtone]

Come take a scenic drive along US 26 between OR 7 and OR 19 in Grant County, Oregon. Come see the Strawberry Mountains, the town of John Day and more as we head in the direction of the Picture Gorge at the entrance to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/oregons-us-26-between-or-7-and-or-19.html

[Bruce]

The new Burnside Bridge designs are advancing, including reduced widths to save costs. One of the design options is a reversible lane, which would work similar to Vancouver's Lions Gate Bridge.

https://burnsidebridge.participate.online/

[JasonOfORoads]

ODOT is going to start rebuilding the I-5 Aurora/Donald interchange (exit 278) this month. The project will be completed in two parts. The first part will consist of realigning some roads and building a soundwall and is due to be completed by November. The second part consists of constructing a new DDI (the state's second, after the I-5 Fern Valley interchange, Exit 24) and realigning another road. Bids for this part will commence in 2023 with a goal to open by 2025.

https://www.salemreporter.com/posts/5962/odot-to-start-rebuilding-aurora-donald-interchange-this-month

[Sub-Urbanite]

ODOT has a survey out about how to spend its federal largesse. It was linked on an anti-car advocacy group webpage, so, y'know, feel free to also weigh in...

https://odotopenhouse.org/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act

[xonhulu]

Sometime in the past month, ODOT installed a couple of shields on OR 153, making it finally officially signed in the field (only 20 years after its designation!).  I saw them for the first time today, and here are photos of both:


This is at OR 153's eastern terminus on northbound OR 221 near Hopewell.  There was no 153 junction signage on southbound 221, though.


This was on westbound 153 at its junction with OR 154.  Oddly, this was the only shield they put up at this junction.  There was no indication that continuing straight ahead puts you on 154.  Instead, you have to drive 1.2 miles farther to see a confirming 154 shield (which you can see in a previous post of mine upthread).  Also, there were no shields in view along either eastbound 153 or southbound 154 at the junction.  I'm hoping ODOT will improve on things at this junction soon.

I drove the rest of OR 153 west to OR 18 in Bellevue, but saw no other 153 shields. No additional signage has been added to 154 since my prior post, either.

There has been a mini-flurry lately in the mid-Willamette Valley in finally posting shields for some of the 2002-3 routes, with 153 joining 154 and 164 in finally being officially signed.  Add those to the newly-acquired OR 127 and OR 132 being signed, and it's been a relatively lively last few months in new signed routes. Hopefully more to come this year.

[JasonOfORoads]

Looks like OR-224 will finally be open to traffic again east of Estacada on May 1st of this year. This comes after the highway was closed for 19 months due to the massive devastating wildfires in the area in September 2020.

https://www.kgw.com/article/traffic/highway-224-oregon-reopen-date/283-e8b51ba6-3a5c-4c18-b3cb-bb1d2b2cf483

I happened to take a bunch of photos of 224 in June 2020. I'll have to head down the highway after it reopens for some before and after comparisons.

[ylekot]

Sometime in the past month, ODOT installed a couple of shields on OR 153, making it finally officially signed in the field (only 20 years after its designation!).  I saw them for the first time today, and here are photos of both:


This is at OR 153's eastern terminus on northbound OR 221 near Hopewell.  There was no 153 junction signage on southbound 221, though.


This was on westbound 153 at its junction with OR 154.  Oddly, this was the only shield they put up at this junction.  There was no indication that continuing straight ahead puts you on 154.  Instead, you have to drive it 1/2 a mile to see a confirming 154 shield (which you can see in a previous post of mine upthread).  Also, there were no shields in view along either eastbound 153 or southbound 154 at the junction.  I'm hoping ODOT will improve on things at this junction soon.

I drove the rest of OR 153 west to OR 18 in Bellevue, but saw no other 153 shields. No additional signage has been added to 154 since my prior post, either.

There has been a mini-flurry lately in the mid-Willamette Valley in finally posting shields for some of the 2002-3 routes, with 153 joining 154 and 164 in finally being officially signed.  Add those to the newly-acquired OR 127 and OR 132 being signed, and it's been a relatively lively last few months in new signed routes. Hopefully more to come this year.

OR 154 has only one sign.  At the junction of String Town Road and Lafayette Highway south of Lafayette:

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1958832,-123.1032447,3a,75y,107.92h,79.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so9I0gmZK463vjB7mUx0bUw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

[xonhulu]

OR 154 has only one sign.  At the junction of String Town Road and Lafayette Highway south of Lafayette:

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.1958832,-123.1032447,3a,75y,107.92h,79.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1so9I0gmZK463vjB7mUx0bUw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

That was indeed the first 154 shield posted.  But last fall, ODOT put up two more 154 route markers on Lafayette Hwy itself.  See post #398 for my photos of them.

[roadwaywiz95]

Our next installment in the Webinar series is scheduled to take place on Saturday (3/12) at 6 PM ET and will serve as the *official* Season 3 Finale event. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile the Portland, OR metro area and discuss the history and features of the regions freeway system. We'll also be discussing the history of the many bridges in the area that span both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers; if you like roads and/or bridges, this is a show you're not going to want to miss!

[Bruce]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

[Rothman]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

I think quotas like these are the only way to control overcrowding.

There also seems to be less awareness of how to preserve nature on the behalf of visitors, too, though.

[kernals12]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

I think a lot of people will suddenly decide the view from I-84 is just as good.

[Bruce]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

I think a lot of people will suddenly decide the view from I-84 is just as good.

The article and blurb make it clear that access to the waterfalls is the issue here. I-84 only has access to one (Multnomah), while the rest are on the HCRH.

[Max Rockatansky]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

I think a lot of people will suddenly decide the view from I-84 is just as good.

The article and blurb make it clear that access to the waterfalls is the issue here. I-84 only has access to one (Multnomah), while the rest are on the HCRH.

There is a substantial difference between the scenery of the HCRH and I-84.  The water fall access is the big draw but there is a lot of people who just plain like the scenic drive over the Interstate and will dog pile in their without restriction regardless of crowd size.  Basically it is the Oregon analog for something like CA 1 in Big Sur. 

[doorknob60]

Another scenic alternative to I-84 is WA-14. Not quite as many waterfalls and such to stop at (and probably not as scenic as the HCRH), but if you're looking for a scenic drive, it's a great option. I bet it will see a modest increase in traffic once the permit system goes into effect.

[pderocco]

Another scenic alternative to I-84 is WA-14. Not quite as many waterfalls and such to stop at (and probably not as scenic as the HCRH), but if you're looking for a scenic drive, it's a great option. I bet it will see a modest increase in traffic once the permit system goes into effect.

Personally, I'd take 14 over I-84 if I was looking for a pleasant ride. HCRH has Crown Point, though, and the famous view of Crown Point from the Portland Women's Forum lookout. On the other hand, for much of HCRH, the only view you've got is the trees right next to you.

[Alps]

All personal vehicles seeking to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day will now need to register for timed-entry permits. Overcrowding at the waterfalls and other sites on the corridor have forced their hand. $2 a pop online or free in-person (in limited quantities) and required from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2022/05/new-columbia-gorge-permits-begin-tuesday-joining-other-permits-parking-fees.html

I think a lot of people will suddenly decide the view from I-84 is just as good.

The article and blurb make it clear that access to the waterfalls is the issue here. I-84 only has access to one (Multnomah), while the rest are on the HCRH.

There is a substantial difference between the scenery of the HCRH and I-84.  The water fall access is the big draw but there is a lot of people who just plain like the scenic drive over the Interstate and will dog pile in their without restriction regardless of crowd size.  Basically it is the Oregon analog for something like CA 1 in Big Sur. 

I saw the two main falls on old 30 with my family. I went back to drive more of it recently and saw a few other less-touristy falls. Glad I drove it when I did (admittedly outside peak season, so didn't contend with tourist speed traffic), but no, you see NOTHING from 84 compared to old 30.

[Albert]

OR 241 and US 101: Working on it. Reconstructing sidewalks east of Flanagan right now. When the project finishes, they will have new sidewalks, new curb ramps at Flanagan, and even new pavement. This project's paving will be like US 101 CB-NB project's Jun.-Sep. 2013 paving.