The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) received three bids for the
revised plan for the “U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway Safety and Preservation
Project,” including adding a 1.6-mile barrier from east of the runaway truck
ramp to east of the Mirror Lake trailhead, cutting back rock faces and
widening the highway.

K&E Excavating, out of Salem, submitted the lowest bid of $19,388,374.
Kerr Contractors and Tapani Inc. submitted the two other bids.

Kimberly Dinwiddie, ODOT Community Affairs, noted several weeks of behind
the scenes work, including paperwork, will take place before the contract is
finally awarded.

She added the plans do include “minimal” rock fall work at Map Curve to
address immediate dangers, but it will be less than the original proposal of
removing approximately 50 feet.

“Were really pleased we’re able to address the rock fall concerns at Map
Curve, and we’re looking forward to when that’s official and we have a
contract awarded,” Dinwiddie said.

The first round of bids ODOT received were significantly higher than the
available budget, resulting in the revised plan and a second round of bidding.
The budget for the work is $20,780,000, while the budget for the entire
project is $27.85 million, including other aspects such as inspections, surveys,
permits, engineering and public notification.

Dinwiddie expects the work to begin as early as late June or early July, with a
focus this year and in 2015 on rock fall work and excavation.

During the summer of 2016, the work is expected to focus on paving, striping
and the construction of the barrier.

Work will be performed April through October each year, with no work done
during the winter months.

Traffic delays, including reducing the highway to a single lane and complete
highway closures for short periods of time, will also occur.

“We want all lanes back open for the winter season,” Dinwiddie said.