The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners adopted a consolidated six-year transportation improvement program on July 14 after a public hearing at which no members of the public testified. Commissioner Clayton moved the adoption and Commissioner Kimball seconded; the motion passed 2-0.

Program and process: Public Works staff explained they consolidated a previously long list of projects into a more realistic six-year list and described their project-scoring process, which places heavy weight on safety (60 percent of the score) and also accounts for maintenance burden, level of service, age and legal constraints. Joel Dickerson and other public works staff said the condensed list better reflects likely deliverable projects and that unfunded items will be pursued via grants and reprioritized as funding becomes available.

Public hearing and workshops: Staff said a speed study for Old Highway 12 is complete and a workshop with the commissioners and the public is scheduled for August 11 to review results; a follow-up public hearing about speed-limit locations will be scheduled about a month after the workshop.

Project agreements and funding: The board also signed a Rural Arterial Program project agreement accepting CRAB (county-level rural arterial board) funding for design of the Scenic Loop Bridge replacement (Milepost 0.13 to 0.21). Joel said the structure replaces a failing culvert and exceeds 20 feet, which makes it eligible for additional state or federal funding. The board approved an amendment accepting additional SRFB/CRAB funding for the Mjolnia Road project (milepost 0.14 to 1.072) that provides the remaining construction funding; staff said the total project cost is about $1,710,000 for 0.932 miles and that most funding is outside sources.

Handrail project extension: The board approved a contract extension request from CKJT to continue architectural support on a county handrail project through Dec. 31, 2025, after staff said the architect's contract had expired during design and bid review and reinstating the architect ensures continuity through construction. Commissioner Kimball noted structural-engineering services were not included in the not-to-exceed amount but understood those would be billed hourly only if needed.

Decision vs. next steps: The board adopted the plan and executed funding agreements; staff will proceed with design and grant administration and will advertise and pursue construction funding where possible. Staff also will continue right-of-way surveys and owner notifications for the Mill Creek Flood Control project and reported active construction updates on several road projects.

Ending: The six-year program was adopted and staff received authority to accept project funds and continue work on the listed projects; public workshops and further hearings on specific elements (speed limits on Old Highway 12) will follow the schedule outlined by Public Works.