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Northwest Region- Region 2

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ODOT to present options for Sunset Highway tunnel work
02/18/2010
Feb 18, 2010                                                                                                              R1 10-14
 
For More Information:                    Brad Wurfel 503.731.8265, Bradley.j.wurfel@state.or.us
                                                     Lou Torres, 503.986-2880, Louis.c.torres@odot.state.or.us
 
Project Web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION1/dennis_edwards/
 
ODOT to present options for Sunset Highway tunnel construction
 
Public encouraged to offer input at public meetings in March
 
Oregon Department of Transportation officials today announced a series of meetings in March to discuss plans for improving the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel on U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway).
 
ODOT is in the design phase of the U.S. 26 Dennis Edwards Tunnel project, 27 miles west of Portland. The agency recently completed a comprehensive review of the project with contractors, and wants to share the findings with the public. Plans designed to improve safety for drivers could impact traffic through the tunnel in 2011.
 
Two meetings in Seaside and one in Banks will offer community leaders, business owners and any interested residents an opportunity to learn more about which construction options the department is considering, and how those choices could affect everyone who uses U.S. 26.
The meetings will be held as follows:
 
·         March 1    Northwest Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (NWACT) meeting, 2:30 -4:30 p.m., Chisholm Senior Center, 1225 Ave. A, Seaside
 
·         March 10  6-8 p.m., Seaside Civic and Convention Center, 415 First Ave., Seaside
 
·         March 16  5-7 p.m., Banks High School Cafeteria, 450 S. Main St., Banks
 
The tunnel, built in 1941, needs lining, drainage and lighting improvements due to its age. ODOT also is considering increasing the vertical clearance of the tunnel as part of this project, to improve safety and freight mobility. The additional clearance would prevent the need for over-height trucks to straddle the center line when traveling though the tunnel.
 
Both the original relining and lighting work and the vertical clearance improvements will require tunnel closures. A critical component in the decision to move forward with the additional vertical clearance work is the duration of the closure necessary to complete these improvements. ODOT wants to receive feedback from the public before a final decision is made. Construction is planned for 2011.
 
###ODOT###