City is planning Main Street bridge project

By Terry Murry on Monday, January 25th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The city of Pendleton has banked some of its share of the federal gas tax with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Public Works Director Bob Patterson said the goal was to accrue enough money in the account to mount a major project. With an estimated $1.2 million in the fund, he says the time is right.

Patterson expects a draft agreement with ODOT to fund the projects will be ready in February and March. The money would be used, in part, to improve the Main Street Bridge.

“The surface there needs to be redone,” he said.

The work would continue along Northwest Despain Avenue, stopping at the intersection with Northwest Seventh Street.

“That’s one of our most highly traveled roads,” Patterson said. “We have a lot of conflicts. Despain is only three lanes, two for travel and one for parking. We’re going to discuss widening that road.”