Smith seeks safety on Highway 11

By on Friday, December 15th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

MILTON-FREEWATER – More than 100 people were on hand to discuss the dangers of Highway 11 from Milton-Freewater to Stateline Road. The town hall hosted by Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) included officials from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Also, Umatilla County Commissioner Cindy Timmons attended, and she said ODOT showed up with suggestions.

“One was to make that stretch, that’s a four-mile stretch, three lanes, a lot like they did in the main part of Milton, just to slow people down,” she said. “That would be from the overpass to Stateline.”

ODOT’s other suggestion was round-abouts.

“The trick is out in that area, there are a lot of business and residential access points, so that makes it tricky,” Timmons said.

She said Smith plans to look further into possible solutions during the upcoming session that begins in early February 2024.

“This is a priority for him,” she said. “As soon as that legislative session is over, the short session, which is the first of March, he’s going to call another town meeting.”

Photo via Google Maps