Contractors were expected to wrap up paving during the final week of September for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) “U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway Safety and
Preservation Project,” setting the stage for the completion of the project this
month. Kimberly Dinwiddie, ODOT Community Affairs, noted the paving was a
challenge due to weather delays, leading to several days of working both day
and night, after originally planning on just paving during the night.

Dinwiddie added that the installation of a 1.6-mile concrete median barrier to
prevent crossover accidents was also expected to be finished by the end of
September, adding that people who need to make U-turns should utilize the
Government Camp Loop or Kiwanis Camp Road.

While the project is scheduled to end this month, travelers should still expect
20-minute delays due to striping, as Dinwiddie noted there will be flaggers
and pilot cars utilized until the striping is complete.

“It’s been a busy couple of years, but we realize that it’s been a rough month
with the paving and delays,” Dinwiddie said. “We really appreciate everyone’s
patience, but in the end, we believe it will be worth it when we have a safer
highway and a smoother ride.”

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