Making an Impact
July 2020 - Volume 7 - Issue 11
Running a red light is extremely dangerous
For more information: Kelly Kapri, Safety Division program manager, 503-507-1783

SALEM – How many times have you run a red light… or seen someone do it? If you’re still alive, you’re lucky. Red light running is a significant cause of serious injury crashes in Oregon. Because it often results in T-bone crashes, red light running can cause debilitating brain injury and death. It is essential that every driver in Oregon heed the warning to Stop on Red. Now through Aug. 8 is National Stop On Red week, and safety advocates hope Oregon drivers will learn and obey the law.

“When you run a red light, you are usually moving through the intersection at a higher-than-average rate of speed,” said Kelly Kapri, Safe and Courteous Driving Program manager. “You need to stop on red, as it can be a matter of life or death.”
What does steady yellow mean? A steady yellow signal warns you that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before entering the intersection. If you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through it.

What does steady red mean? A steady red signal means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes. You are allowed to make the following turns on red after coming to a complete stop unless a sign or police officer states otherwise.
  • When entering a two-way road, you may turn right.
  • When entering a one-way road, you may turn right or left in the direction of the one-way road.

Here are a few steps you can take to be prepared to stop safely at the next red light:
  • Recognize the “Dilemma Zone.” This is where you're approaching an intersection, and the light changes from green to yellow. Stop safely before entering the intersection.
  • Know Oregon’s laws on traffic lights.
  • Control your speed at all times.
  • Never drive drowsydistracted or impaired.
Program funds "off-system" paths
Welcome to the new Oregon Community Paths program. We’re pleased to launch this competitive grant program that supports investments in biking and walking facilities all across Oregon.

Specifically, Oregon Community Paths, or OCP, invests in facilities that are not primarily on or along a roadway. These “off-system” paths may be bike/pedestrian paths or path segments that:

  • Traverse a park.
  • Go between housing developments.
  • Go along greenways or old rail lines.
  • Or are located in areas that are not otherwise within the public right of way.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include cities, counties, federally recognized tribes, school or transportation districts, and non-profit or private entities with support from local government agencies.
Where is the funding from?

We are using funds from the state Multimodal Active Transportation fund, initiated in the Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017) legislation, and federal Transportation Alternatives Program fund for this program.
What are we trying to achieve?

Our goal is to complement existing active transportation programs in communities across the state.
Oregon’s Strategic Action Plan prioritizes building, maintaining, and operating a modern, multimodal transportation system to serve all Oregonians, address climate change, and help Oregon communities and economies thrive. OCP supports that plan by increasing bicyclist and pedestrian safety, reducing the impact on the climate, increasing connectivity, and increasing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, race, ethnicities, and incomes in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state to bike or walk to reach their destinations. It increases multimodal transportation options and helps ensure transportation disadvantaged communities are served and included in decision-making.

What’s next?

We will be accepting applications this fall and we will notify everyone through email and other announcements. For more information, please sign up for one of our webinars, or contact Alan Thompson, PATHS Program Manager, 503-986-7202 or Alan.L.Thompson@odot.state.or.us.

Key dates

August 7, August 21, and September 18: Program overview webinars. Go to the OCP webpage or contact Alan Thompson to sign up. Webinars will be recorded and posted on the OCP webpage.

  • October 1 – October 31: The online Letter of Interest form will be available.

A Letter of Interest is required to submit an application and is due before 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2020. We will review Letters of Interest for eligibility and respond to eligible applicants that they may apply for an OCP grant. Letter of Interest forms will be available on the OCP webpage.

  • October 14, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: ODOT will host an online Question and Answer session to help applicants complete the online Letter of Interest form and the online OCP Grant Application. Information on how to attend the Question and Answer session will be posted on the OCP webpage.
  • November 1 – January 31, 2021: We will accept applications for Construction or Project Refinement grants. Potential applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and be deemed eligible before applying.
  • Summer 2021: Projects will be awarded.

Find out more and sign up for email updates and meeting/webinar notifications by visiting the OCP webpage.

Thank you for your interest in biking and walking in Oregon!

The Oregon Community Paths team

I-84, Umatilla county traffic signals and Pendleton intersection upgrades are subjects of web based meetings


ODOT want to hear from you




U.S. 30 - S.E. Court Ave. and S.E. 1st Street intersection in Pendleton

Contacts: Tom Strandberg (541) 963-1330, email thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us

Erin Winterton (541) 963-1371, email Erin.Winterton@odot.state.or.us.

Pendleton - Local residents, businesses, and transportation system users are invited to check out two online open house events to learn about and provide feedback on key ODOT projects.

I-84 paving and signal upgrades

https://www.oregonevents.org/openhouse/i-84-meacham-kamela runs from July 27 to August 31. It provides details on our I-84 paving and local community traffic signal upgrades. In 2021 and 2022 this project will replace the pavement along the I-84 eastbound and westbound freeways between the Meacham and Kamela interchanges, from exit 238 to 248. It will also upgrade traffic signals in the Umatilla County area along state routes in or near the communities of Hermiston, Pendleton, Umatilla, Stanfield and Milton-Freewater.

U.S. 30 signal and ADA upgrades

https://www.oregonevents.org/openhouse/us-30-signal-ada-upgrades is open from July 31 to August 14 and features information about our U.S. 30: S.E. Court Ave./S.E. First St. Signal & ADA upgrades project in Pendleton. The project will upgrade the traffic signals and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sidewalk ramps at this intersection in 2021. Work also includes removing the old traffic signals and pedestrian walk/wait signals along Dorian Avenue at the SE 1st and SW 4th Street intersections.
 
Meetings are open to everyone

Accommodations will be provided to people with disabilities. Information in the online open houses can be made available in alternative formats upon request. Please call Erin Winterton (541) 963-1371, or the statewide relay at 7-1-1.
ODOT is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. Questions: 1-877-336-368 (EEO-ODOT) or call 7-1-1.


We are always here to help with traffic safety education. We currently have these three images on yard signs available. If you know anyone that would like to have them on display in their community please let us know. We will be glad to ship them to you free of charge.
Car Seat Check Up Events

Oregon Impact along with most car seat safety programs in the US, is no longer providing in person/live car seat safety checks for the foreseeable future.
 
We know that car seat safety is very important, as it should be, for many new parents. We want you to know are here to help.
 
We are currently making appointments for car seat education sessions, along with other local partners. Please contact us for more information at 503-899-2220 or via email at OregonCarSeatSafety@gmail.com.