A vehicle drives near Gales Creek on Highway 6. Photo: Brenda Schaffer The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced a “historic transportation investment” that beginning January 1, 2022 increases by 3 percent fees for renewing vehicle license plates, getting new trip permits, and applying for vehicle titles. The 3 percent[Read More…]
TRANSPORTATION
County could face delays obtaining anti-icing materials this winter
A Washington County Land Use and Transportation anti-icing truck applies liquid magnesium chloride to Gales Creek Road just east of downtown Gales Creek in 2019, photo courtesy LUT Global supply chain disruptions have come to Washington County, and they have and could continue to impact county road work projects. “The[Read More…]
It’s studded tire season, but consider alternatives, ODOT says
A studded tire. File photo: Chas Hundley Today marks the first day you can legally use studded tires on Oregon roads. The Oregon Department of Transportation would rather you didn’t. “Our latest study concluded studded tires cause about $8.5 million in damage each year on state highways,” ODOT said in[Read More…]
Oregon’s salmon plates get a refreshed look
An example of the new design, courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department A new design for Oregon salmon license plates will be available to vehicle owners September 1, 2021, and the money from plate sales will go toward salmon habitat and restoration. The salmon plate VIP list auction opens for[Read More…]
Willamette Falls Locks Authority created by Oregon Legislature to explore reopening locks
The Willamette Falls on August 6, 2018. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill with a 54-3 vote creating the Willamette Falls Locks Authority, a public corporation establishing ownership, management, and oversight so the waterfall’s locks could someday reopen for the first time since 2011. House[Read More…]
County seeks two applicants for regional transportation commission
A map that shows the general area of the NWACT in Washington County. Photo courtesy Washington County Land Use and Transportation Want to advise the Oregon Transportation Commission on transportation issues in rural western Washington County? Two positions — each for a two-year term — on a little-known regional commission[Read More…]
Oregon DMV to launch online license renewals
Photo courtesy of ODOT The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles issued a news release that says as early as May 5 many Oregonians will be able to go online to renew their driver’s licenses, permits, and identification cards. Other credentials available to renew online are commercial driver licenses (CDL), instruction[Read More…]
West Coast states aim to improve online tools for rural transit riders
A Ride Connection bus drives through Banks on July 11, 2018. Photo: Chas Hundley ODOT issued a news release saying the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) awarded a $5.3 million ITS4US grant to Oregon, Washington and California. The $5.3 million the states received is paying to develop software using open-sourced tools[Read More…]
Legislature looking to the future of fueling vehicles
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley A bill that appears to be fast-tracked by a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment would allow public utilities such to charge consumers for the cost of supplying new electric vehicle charging stations with power and allow public[Read More…]
Gales Creek’s first traffic camera will soon go live
The new traffic camera and weather station at the Highways 6 and 8 junction. Photo: Chas Hundley An eagle-eyed Gales Creek local may notice, perched atop a pole on the Wilson River Highway/Highway 6 near the junction with Highway 8/Gales Creek Road a small, spinning windmill device, and a camera. [Read More…]
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