The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is set to begin upgrades to curb ramps in the towns of North Powder, Richland, and Halfway to bring them up to current ADA standards. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals using mobility devices.
Construction in Halfway will start in late August or early September at the intersection of Fish Lake Road and OR 413/Main Street, proceeding east through town. Once work in Halfway is completed, crews will move on to Richland. The upgrades in both towns are expected to be finished by the end of October.
Work in North Powder is scheduled for spring 2026 following a winter break. The entire project is anticipated to conclude by October 2026. ODOT notes that construction timelines may change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
During construction, lane and shoulder closures, flaggers, potential side street closures, and ADA-accessible pedestrian detours will be implemented around all work zones. Access to all businesses will remain open throughout the process.
Despite a significant funding crisis affecting ODOT’s maintenance and operations budgets, most capital projects such as these curb ramp improvements will continue as planned. These projects are typically financed through dedicated state or federal programs that cannot be used for routine maintenance or daily operations. More details about ODOT’s funding challenges can be found on their website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/Funding-Crisis.aspx
For updates on this project and others in eastern Oregon, residents can visit the Region 5 Eastern Oregon project webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/default.aspx?region=5
Current road conditions and traffic alerts are available at tripcheck.com or by calling 5-1-1. Additional information about ODOT’s statewide ADA curb ramp initiative can be found on their ADA webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/ada.aspx
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