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After implementing many of the solutions recommended in the audit for the stretch just east of Rhododendron, ODOT is studying solutions to address safety concerns from east of the runaway truck ramp to the west entrance of Ski Bowl.
Along this 2.7-mile stretch between 2003 and 2013:
The following solutions were proposed to reduce severe crossover and other crashes from east of the runaway truck ramp to east of the Mirror Lake Trailhead.
Project Elements
K & E Excavating worked along U.S. 26 in 2014 and 2015. Here is what they accomplished during that time:
Construction of the final season of the U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Safety Project began in mid-March. This season, K&E Excavating will continue to work along the slopes along U.S. 26 west of Government Camp between east of Kiwanis Camp Road and east of Mirror Lake, pave U.S. 26 and place a barrier between the east and westbound lanes.
Work will take place Monday through Saturday and could take place around-the-clock. This could change during the course of the project. Road and trail closures and flagging will not occur on major holidays or Sundays.
Construction will delay travel through the area. However, you will still be able to get to where you are going. Here is what to expect so you can plan to avoid delays.
Lane closures begin March 18; starting after April 1st, expect:
*Once determined, exact blast closure dates will be posted at www.US26MtHoodSafety.org.
Construction Flyer - March 2015 (152 KB)
Haul Road Flyer - March 2015 (1.4 MB)
ODOT and K&E Excavating plan to accomplish the following work before late fall 2016, including:
**Subject to change based upon weather and site conditions
Travelers along U.S. 26 will encounter narrow lanes, flaggers directing traffic and road closures. The speed limit will remain 45 miles-per-hour during construction. Slow down and travel safely in the work zone so you can reach your destination and the workers on the road can work in a safe work area.
Trucks will haul rocks, trees and other materials from the slopes of U.S. 26 to several sites on Mt. Hood. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Here are some things you can do to stay safe when sharing the road with trucks:
Reducing Rockfall Hazards
Rock falling from the slopes adjacent to U.S. 26 between Kiwanis Camp Road and Mirror Lake is hazardous to travelers.
Currently, several rock slopes are very close to the highway alignment. As rock falls from the slope, it typically lands in the highway and becomes a hazard to motorists.
Move the existing rock slope away from the roadway to:
Crews will use controlled blasting to loosen and break up the rock. This work will be done in stages, starting from the top and working down.
Workers will use equipment to excavate the blasted and loosened rock. Some of the rock removed from the slope will be used for asphalt, highway widening, and the retaining wall on this project. Other forms of rock and soil stabilization will also be used.
Environmental Considerations
During construction our environmental experts will be on site to make sure we are protecting and preserving the environmental, cultural and scenic resources. We are also working closely with our regulator partners and the U.S. Forest Service.
The landscape will look different during construction, however our landscape architects are working with the U.S. Forest Service on a planting plan to ensure the landscape is brought back to the beauty you see today.
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