The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced that the second day of pavement preservation work on Cornelius Pass Road, also known as OR 127, will be postponed due to weather conditions. Rain is expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, making it necessary to wait until the road surface is dry enough to complete the project.
Travelers who plan to use Cornelius Pass Road are advised to check TripCheck.com for updates before heading out. During the rescheduled work, which may take place Thursday or Friday, local access will be very limited. Flaggers and pilot cars will manage traffic, and detours will be in place. ODOT recommends that drivers wishing to travel between U.S. 26 and U.S. 30 use U.S. Interstate 405 instead to avoid delays.
“Rain is in the forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, so we need to wait until surface conditions are dry enough to complete the work,” ODOT stated.
The agency also noted ongoing funding issues affecting its operations statewide. ODOT is facing a significant budget shortfall leading to staff layoffs and reduced capacity across the organization. Without new sources of revenue or increased flexibility in spending, further cuts and layoffs are expected as the department seeks to remain within budget limits.
“Due to ongoing funding challenges, we are delaying or canceling some planned maintenance activities, but this pavement preservation work will be done as scheduled. ODOT is experiencing a significant and immediate funding shortfall that is resulting in staff layoffs and reduced capacity across the agency. Without new revenue or flexibility in spending, ODOT is forced to make deep cuts and lay off hundreds of people to stay within its budget,” according to an ODOT statement.
Travelers throughout Oregon are encouraged by ODOT to check TripCheck.com for current information on routes and possible alternatives before traveling.
