ODOT wraps up I-84 Exit 216 project
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Most of the work is done to make Exit 216 eastbound safer during winter weather. Oregon Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Vicki Moles said the goal is to make things safer for both motorists and its employees as this is a frequent point where the highway closes due to severe weather at higher elevations.
One safety step is designed to slow down speeders when a highway closure is up ahead.
“If we do have to close the interstate, then those speed limit signs will start reducing the speeds before people actually get up to the closure,” Moles said.
When the highway closes, ODOT employees are required to walk among traffic on the freeway to place cones and speak with drivers. Low light and low visibility make them vulnerable to traffic approaching at the default freeway speeds.
The project cost ODOT an estimated $7.1 million.
