Morris gives ways to make Highway 11 safer

By Terry Murry on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

MILTON-FREEWATER – The number of crashes on Highway 11 between Milton-Freewater and Stateline Road has resulted in numerous public meetings. The Oregon State Police and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office have increased patrols in the area.

Milton-Freewater City Manager Chad Morris says that the area in question is out of the city limits, but is still a source of concern. He added that some action is being planned, but that it will probably take more than that.

“We’re going to try some advertising campaigns, some signage, things like that,” he said. “That’s the first step.”

He believes that the state needs to look at ways to slow traffic down a bit and make drivers pay more attention to the road instead of being distracted. He said possibly changing the access to the highway from businesses could make things safer.

“Making it where there’s not a driveway and business access every few feet, which is not necessarily the best thing for the business owners,” he said. “You have to balance those two things too.”