Workers may be out as early as mid-March for the Oregon Department of
Transportation’s (ODOT) “U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway Safety and Preservation
Project,” now entering the final work season of the three-year project.

Kimberly Dinwiddie, ODOT Community Affairs, noted that thanks to slides in
the later part of the 2015 work season, the contractor, K&E Excavating, is a
little behind schedule on the project, but the expectation is that the project
will still wrap up this year.

“We still have a lot of time in 2016 and we are confident that we will finish
everything by fall,” Dinwiddie said. “It’s an aggressive schedule.”

The details of early scheduling were still being worked out in late February,
but Dinwiddie noted that initial work on the project, which will expand the
highway and add a 1.6-mile concrete median barrier to prevent crossover
accidents, could begin in mid-March with some lane closures as workers get
an early start to get signs up and perhaps continue installing rock bolts to
secure the slopes at Map Curve. She added that the work will not interfere
with travellers during spring break.

In April, travellers can expect Hwy. 26 to be reduced to one lane in each
direction, with early work including the construction of a retaining wall across
from the Laurel Hill Chute Trail that will protect the Pioneer Bridle Trail.
Workers will then excavate the shoulders on the south side of the highway in
preparation for widening it, allowing for room for the barrier.

Slope excavations are expected to include blasting, with the potential for
blasting in early April if workers can start their preparations in mid-March,
while Dinwiddie noted blasting is expected to be finished by the middle of the
summer.

Paving for the project could also begin in May, and Dinwiddie noted the entire
length of highway from the west end of the project to Highway 35 will be
paved by the end (the section of highway by Government Camp will not be
paved until after Labor Day).

Dinwiddie added that hauling will take place on Lolo Pass and Trillium Lake
Road, but the amount of hauling will be less than in the first two years. She
offered her appreciation to the community and to drivers for their patience
during the project.

“We realize that this has been an inconvenience and its impacted a lot of
people every day,” Dinwiddie said.

The project’s website, us26mthoodsafety.org, is expected to be updated by
the beginning of March, including a video outlining work done during the first
two years. An online open house at the site is expected to occur in mid March,
while motorists can also visit tripcheck.com for the latest traffic information.