Work begins April 1 on Vale intersection proje
By Logan Bagett on Monday, March 30th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
VALE — Construction will begin April 1st to improve safety for students in Vale near the intersection of U.S. 20 and OR 451. The Oregon Department of Transportation explains, “In 2019, a new middle school opened for 7th and 8th graders. It is located on Viking Drive, within the high school campus. Children living north of the intersection of U.S. 20 (Washington / A Street) and OR 451 (Graham Boulevard) do not have a safe route to school. This is due to high traffic speeds, a unique traffic pattern, a railroad crossing, and a lack of pedestrian facilities at this crossing.”
The project involves installing a pedestrian railroad crossing, sidewalk and a marked street crossing.
Find the full ODOT press release below:
(From Oregon Department of Transportation)
Travelers near the intersection of OR 451 and U.S. 20 should expect shoulder and single-lane closures starting next week as part of a safety improvement project. Flaggers will direct traffic as needed.
Construction is expected to begin April 1 and continue into May.
About this project
This project will improve safety and mobility for students and others who use this route. Work includes:
- Construct new sidewalk and install traffic separators – flexible posts placed on the roadway to guide drivers and create safer, more visible spaces for pedestrians – on the south side of OR 451, from Viking Drive to Elm Street.
- Build ADA-compliant curb ramps at the intersection of OR 451 and Viking Drive, and the southwest and southeast corners of Elm Street.
- Install crosswalk marker from new sidewalk and curb ramps to pedestrian island.
Visit the project webpage: OR 451/U.S. 20: Vale Sidewalk and Rail Pedestrian
