Oregon Legislators Address Rural Transportation Challenges During Ontario and Hermiston Tour

Tour group poses for a photo in front of the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center.Photo byODOT

By Kristy Tallman, Monday, September 9, 2024

ONTARIO, OR — Oregon lawmakers visited Ontario and Hermiston on August 28-29 as part of the Statewide Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour. The tour focused on the difficulties faced by rural areas, including long winters, wildfire risks, insufficient maintenance funding, and the impact of growing urban development.

Legislators observed firsthand the challenges posed by deteriorating highways, like Highway 95 in southeastern Oregon, and the struggles of remote ODOT maintenance workers. They also visited Hermiston to learn about infrastructure stress caused by the influx of new businesses and climate-related disasters, such as the 2020 Umatilla River flood.

Ontario bus tour driving along OR-201 to see an active slide area.Photo byODOT

The tour aims to gather public input to develop sustainable transportation funding during the 2025 legislative session. Public hearings at each stop provide legislators with insight into the concerns of Oregon’s rural communities.

Remaining tour stops include:

• Bend – Sept. 12
• The Dalles – Sept. 13
• Happy Valley – Sept. 26
• Hillsboro – Sept. 27

For more information, contact Kevin Glenn at 503-910-5965 or visit the Oregon Legislative Information System at oregonlegislature.gov.

By Kristy Tallman, September 9, 2024
The Republic News

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