The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), in cooperation with the City of Tillamook and Tillamook County, has nearly completed a study to identify better ways to move through traffic between US 101 and OR 6. OR 6 follows the 1st and 3rd street couplet and US 101 follows Main and Pacific avenues in downtown Tillamook. These narrow streets were not designed to safely carry the large volume of traffic – particularly truck traffic – that is using these streets today.

The US 101/OR 6 Study has identified two alternatives for improving safety and reducing traffic congestion in this area. Both alternatives would construct a new four lane bridge over the Hoquarten Slough, widen the travel lanes on Main and Pacific avenues between 1st and 4th streets and make some modifications to 1st and 3rd streets. One alternative would allow two-way traffic on 1st Street and between Main and Pacific avenues on 3rd Street, while the other alternative would maintain one-way traffic on 1st and 3rd streets.

The project team is currently identifying feasible bridge design concepts. Once concepts that address floodplain issues and other considerations are developed, the project team will share all feasible ideas with community members. The initial concept that the project team shared with the City Council and many property owners would connect Front Street under US 101 to provide access to the Hoquarten Slough Interpretive Trail.

Once the project alternatives are fully defined, the project team will begin work on an Environmental Assessment (EA). The Environmental Assessment is a federally-required report that will document the benefits and impacts of each alternative to the community, cultural and natural environments. The Environmental Assessment will take about a year to complete and will be shared with the community for review and comment before a decision is made about which alternative should be advanced. Construction of this project has been funded as part of the State of Oregon’s Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009.

Throughout the project, the team will continue to work closely with community members, business and property owners, city and county staff, and other stakeholders to understand the trade-offs presented by the different ways of solving this important transportation problem. Project meetings and other opportunities to participate will be posted on this web site.

To learn more about the project and why it’s needed, read about the project background and timeline. You can review the project meeting materials to learn what the project is doing now, and you can find out how to get involved in upcoming events and meetings.

You can also tell us what you think by sending us your comments and questions.