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Council presses for better coordination with ODOT after local disruption from Highway 26 work
Summary
Councilors raised concerns about ODOT construction on Highway 26 and nearby intersections, saying work has left lanes blocked and created safety and access issues; staff said the project is ODOT's and promised to obtain contractor contact information and improve local coordination and communication.
Councilors used the meeting to press staff for better local coordination with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) over ongoing Highway 26 work that has left local lanes blocked and equipment parked near homes.
Council members described visible impacts for residents and questioned who in the city is coordinating directly with ODOT contractors. One councilor asked whether city staff could assign an assistant public works director or a point-person to liaise with contractors so the city can provide residents more timely status and progress updates rather than directing people to ODOT.
Staff said the highway ramp and ADA projects are ODOT's responsibility tied to a jurisdictional transfer; design work is underway for ADA ramps with a completion date in the transfer agreement of September 2027 and ODOT provided approximately $500,000 for the ramps. Staff agreed to try to obtain contractor contacts from ODOT and to circulate them to council and the public so residents can be better informed about construction timing and impacts.
Councilors asked for clearer web updates and better internal coordination so the city can proactively inform residents about lane closures, timing and when work will be visible versus design-phase activity. "It's our problem when it creates issues for our citizens," one councilor said, urging a more hands-on city role coordinating with the state contractor.
