| Hwy 35 Improvements at White River and Newton/Clark Creeks |
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| Project Description |
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The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the USDA Forest Service (FS) is seeking public comments and input to develop alternatives for proposed improvements on Oregon Highway 35 in the Mt. Hood National Forest. FHWA will be holding public open houses to present information about the projects and would like to hear from you.
Highway 35 is major state highway connecting the communities of Government Camp and Hood River. In May 2001, FHWA conducted a feasibility study for seven damage prone sites along Oregon Highway 35. The study was in response to growing concern over the ongoing need for the emergency repair of debris flow damage to Highway 35. The study included the following seven historically damaged sites: White River, Clark Creek, Newton Creek, The Narrows, Polallie Creek, Dog River and Baseline Road.The study identified and evaluated feasible alternatives for each site that would either reduce the severity of the debris flow problem or completely eliminate it.
In November 2006, a debris flow event damaged Highway 35 at three of the seven study sites: White River, Clark Creek, and Newton Creek. The event closed the highway, creating transportation problems, restricting access to recreational sites within the Forest, and requiring costly repairs. In May 2007, Emergency Relief funding from FHWA was identified for long term improvements to Highway 35. Through the request of ODOT, WFLHD became the lead agency in developing alternatives, with the USFS and ODOT acting as partnering agencies.
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| Public Open Houses |
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Two public open houses will be held. The first will be on Monday, November 5, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Best Western Hood River Inn Shoreline Room, 1108 East Marina Way in Hood River. The second meeting is set for Tuesday, November 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mt Hood National Forest Headquarters, 16400 Champion Way, in Sandy. You are welcome to attend one or both open houses.
Each open house will be an informal setting for one-to-one exchanges between citizens and public officials. No formal presentations will be made so you may arrive anytime between 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Representatives from FHWA, ODOT, and FS will be available to discuss the proposed projects and range of possible alternatives.
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| Links and Contact Information |
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A project website and link to the 2003 Feasibility Study has been set up at : http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/or_erfo_2007/. If you have questions please call George Fekaris at (360) 619-7766. If you would like to provide comments on the proposed improvement project, please e-mail no later than December 15, 2007 to: or_erfo2007@mail.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov. Additionally, comments may be sent to the address below:
George Fekaris, Project Manager
Federal Highway Administration
610 East 5th Street
Vancouver, Washington 98661-3893
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