Barclay Drive extension completed

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has completed the extension of Barclay Drive, giving motorists an alternate route through Sisters.

Barclay Drive, which is the main thoroughfare for the industrial park, originally connected Camp Polk Road on the east and ended at Pine Street on the west. The new extension now dead-ends at Highway 20.

"It connects the east side of Sisters to the west side and provides an alternate way for people to get across town," said Eileen Stein, the city's administrator.

The project involved constructing a two-lane road and a bike path about a quarter of a mile through Forest Service land. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. officially opened the new extension.

Bill Anthony of the Forest Service remarked, "It looks nice, and is really going to work well for the community. It's nice when everybody works together."

New Sisters Mayor Deb Kollodge was on hand to cut the ribbon and said, "I want to thank ODOT for helping us alleviate the congestion on Cascade Avenue."

ODOT Project Manager Jack Boatwright also expressed appreciation. "The ones to thank are Hap Taylor and Sons for making such an attractive and smooth-riding road."

Dan Knoll, ODOT spokesman noted, "The project, at a cost of $270,000, was funded by the Local Streets Network Fund. The intent is to take some of the pressure off state highways in downtown areas by providing parallel roads for local traffic."

Local drivers have made use of Forest Service Road 100 in the past. The route is narrow and winding, and is inadequate for heavy use, Forest Service officials said last year. Nevertheless, the detour would ease traffic through downtown by as much as 20 percent, city officials said in July 2001. Once drivers recognize Barclay Drive as a permanent fixture, it will be used even more.

Boatwright emphasized that the project affects the flow of traffic on Pine Street. "People need to know that there are now stop signs on Pine Street. It used to be the through street, but now Barclay Drive is."