ODOT wants passing lane

With more and more cars and trucks streaming through Sisters every year, traveling back and forth across the Cascades, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is planning to widen Highway 20 to accommodate more traffic.

“The average daily traffic count is 8,100 vehicles a day, said Julianne Repman, ODOT public information officer. “That ranges from a low average of 4,550 vehicles daily during January to a high average of 11,900 in July.”

ODOT is inviting public review and comments on a proposed passing lane construction project on Highway 20 west of Sisters. An open house on the proposal will be held on Thursday, May 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sisters Inn and RV Conference Room, 540 Highway 20.

ODOT is proposing to construct a four-lane passing section and a center turn lane between mile points 96 and 98. The construction would extend from the Cold Springs Cutoff Road to the Cascade Meadow Ranch Road. The center turn lane would be at the Cold Springs Cutoff Road intersection.

Construction is expected to begin during the summer of 2007. Trees to be removed have been marked and preliminary construction stakes have been placed in the area.

Plans include clearing about 3.5 acres on ODOT’s right-of-way through lands administered by the Deschutes National Forest and the removal of 544 ponderosa pine trees, according to ODOT. Some 142 of these trees are over 20 inches in diameter at breast height. The Forest Service would sell the trees that are removed.

The proposed project has drawn criticism from the Sierra Club through their Eastern Oregon Forest Organizer Asante Riverwind of Sisters. That criticism began with concern that the Forest Service Pass Timber Sale for the removal of the trees this March was advertised without notifying interested conservation organizations and area individuals.

“The area is designated a scenic highway by the State, mandating a more thorough process,” Riverwind explained in a written statement. “Widening the highway and cutting the many old-growth trees alongside it would irreparably harm the scenic quality of the western approach to Sisters.”

That action would impact the area dependent on tourism and scenic qualities of the area, he added.

Riverwind also stated that widening the highway would speed up traffic as it approaches Sisters and could result in severe vehicle collisions. He also expressed concern about the loss of wildlife habitat and the increased likelihood of vehicles hitting deer attempting to cross the widened highway.

Following a meeting with the Sierra Club, ODOT agreed to delay until next September and to consider alternatives to the proposed project after more public review.

For those who are unable to attend the open house, comments may be submitted to Stephanie Serpico, Project Manager, ODOT Region 4 Tech Center, 63030 O.B. Riley Road, Bend, Ore. 97701 or by e-mail to [email protected]; or call 388-6309.