[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/dangerous-mt-hood-highway-slated-safety-improvements\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/dangerous-mt-hood-highway-slated-safety-improvements\/","headline":"Dangerous Mt. Hood Highway Slated Safety Improvements","name":"Dangerous Mt. Hood Highway Slated Safety Improvements","description":"The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the early stages of developing a project to improve safety on the U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway just east of Rhododendron and west of Oregon Highway 35, where the crash rate is twice that of other primary, rural non-freeway Oregon highways. Planned Safety Improvements for US 26 An...","datePublished":"2013-10-22","dateModified":"2024-05-23","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","width":383,"height":427},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/dangerous-mt-hood-highway-slated-safety-improvements\/","about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":491,"articleBody":"The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the early stages of developing a project to improve safety on the U.S. 26 Mt. Hood Highway just east of Rhododendron and west of Oregon Highway 35, where the crash rate is twice that of other primary, rural non-freeway Oregon highways.Planned Safety Improvements for US 26An independent team of traffic safety, emergency response, and highway professionals produced the following safety recommendations for U.S. 26 that will be implemented, starting 2014.Paving between Rhododendron and OR 35 JunctionCutting back the rock slope on the west end of the project for rock fall mitigationHighway widening to install a median barrierInstalling a median barrier between the east- and westbound lanes for about a 2.3-mile stretch of U.S. 26 from east of KiwanisCamp Road to east of Mirror Lake TrailheadConstruction of a retaining wall to reduce impacts to existing trail from highway widening workExtending the westbound passing lanes for a total of about 1,400 feetInstalling overhead curve-ahead warning signsCamp Creek to Government Camp Accident StatisticsAn independent team of traffic safety, emergency response and highway professionals performed a Road Safety Audit along the seven-mile stretch of U.S. 26 between Camp Creek and Government Camp.The audit found:301 crashes occurredFour people died243 people were injured29 people were seriously injuredKiwanis Camp Road to East of Mirror Lake Trailhead StatisticsAfter implementing many of the solutions recommended in the audit for the roadway just east of Rhododendron, ODOT is now designing solutions to address the safety concerns from half a mile east of Kiwanis Camp Road, through the curves, to east of the Mirror Lake trailhead.Along this 2.3-mile stretch:109 crashes occurred31 were cross-over crashes4 people died88 people were injuredPlanned Changes Kiwanis Camp Road to East of Mirror Lake TrailheadMedian BarrierA median barrier is proposed between the eastbound and westbound lanes in this section to prevent head on crashes.Extension of Downhill Passing LanesODOT plans to extend the downhill passing lanes for a total of about 1,400 feet of a curvy section of roadway that has been difficult for drivers. This will provide drivers with more room and time to form a single lane of traffic.Center BarrierTo reduce severe cross-over crashes, a center barrier will span about 2.3 miles between east of Kiwanis Camp Road to east of the Mirror Lake trailhead. Cross-over crashes have the potential for serious injury and death.Timeline for Completion of the ProjectDuring construction, travelers can expect:Short-term highway and trail closures due to controlled rock-blastingHighway lane closures and shifted travel lanesBecause of the unique site conditions and limited construction season due to winter weather, construction is estimated to take at least three years.If you are injured in a collision on Mt Hood Highway that was caused by another motorist, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact a car accident lawyer in Portland\u00a0at Rizk Law for a free consultation. Ph:\u00a0503.245.5677."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Dangerous Mt. Hood Highway Slated Safety Improvements","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/dangerous-mt-hood-highway-slated-safety-improvements\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]