Three explosions, one of which was a test, rang out over the Mountain in September as part of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) “U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway Safety and Preservation Project.”

Kimberly Dinwiddie, ODOT Community Affairs, noted one blast included
approximately 6,000 pounds of explosives to remove approximately 15,000
cubic yards of solid rock from a slope near Mirror Lake.

Dinwiddie added that 120,000 total cubic yards or rocks and dirt had been
removed from slopes along Hwy. 26 so far.

The success of the blasting also meant the cancellation of two days when
blasting was scheduled, according to Dinwiddie.

“That means less closures for the trail users and the traveling public,” said
Dinwiddie, adding that the project, which will expand the highway and add a
1.6-mile concrete median barrier to prevent crossover accidents, is
proceeding as expected.

Work on the project will wrap up by Friday, Oct. 31, Dinwiddie noted, with all
lanes reverting to their original configuration, but no firm date has been set.
Dinwiddie added the weather will play a large role in that decision, but that
erosion control measures are already on site and will be installed to fully
stabilize all the slopes.

Another blast could potentially occur just west of Mirror Lake in early October,
according to Dinwiddie. She added that all blasting necessitates the closure of
nearby trails in addition to the highway and that hikers and pedestrians
should keep away when explosives are being used.

“Blasting is not a spectator sport,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re not closing the road
and the trails and the surrounding area for our own convenience, we’re doing
it for people to stay safe and alive.”

Dinwiddie reported traffic through the construction area has lessened since
the beginning of the school year, while fewer trucks have hauled soil on Lolo
Pass Road than earlier in the summer.

She added that when the project starts up again in April 2015, the Lolo Pass
dump site could be used again.

The project is expected to run each year between April and October through
2016.

For more information, visit us26mthoodsafety.org and tripcheck.com.