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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2018)
REGION Wednesday, November 21, 2018 ODOT will expand use of salt on dangerous winter roads By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Chance of snow? Expect a sprinkling of salt too. On the first 11 miles of Interstate 5 north of the Cal- ifornia border, the average number of winter crashes dropped from 115 to 54 after the state’s transportation department started using solid salt on a trial basis. Because of the apparent success of that pilot program and directives from the Leg- islature, the state will con- tinue to use salt sparingly on some major roadways this winter. While it can be diffi- cult to peg the exact cause of crashes, and the figures fluctuate from year to year, officials found that the two areas they tested as part of a pilot program from 2012 to 2017 saw a decline in crashes after they tried salt. “It was amazing to see,” said Dave Thompson, a spokesman for the Ore- gon Department of Trans- portation. “The salt was really effective, and still we wanted to minimize its use.” ODOT will have salt on hand for the first 100 miles of the freeway north of Cal- ifornia, on 200 miles of Interstate 84 and in hilly parts of the Portland metro area, as well as a 121-mile stretch of U.S. 95 in south- eastern Oregon between Nevada and Idaho that was tested as part of the pilot program. Since the 1990s, the state has used a liquid chemical deicer, which isn’t always enough to keep snow and ice from bonding to pavement, ODOT says. The state has largely avoided solid salt, which can have deleterious environ- mental effects and is expen- sive to store. Solid salt has the same chemical compo- sition — sodium chloride — as table salt. Salt, through road run- off, can make its way into surface water, groundwater and soil, which can make it harder for plants to absorb water. It can also corrode roads, bridges and vehicles more quickly. But salt can also be very effective, especially in cer- tain conditions, like freezing rain, which the transporta- tion agency says is growing more common in Oregon. Salt will be just one com- ponent of the state’s winter maintenance plans. Courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation Results of a test program suggest that using salt can reduce weather-related crashes. ODOT will have salt on hand for the first 100 miles of Interstate 5 north of California, on 200 miles of Interstate 84 and in hilly parts of the Portland metro area, as well as a 121-mile stretch of U.S. 95 in southeastern Oregon between Nevada and Idaho. Winter weather expected to hit on Thanksgiving East Oregonian Eastern Oregon residents can expect some winter weather on Thanksgiving Day, and are advised to plan ahead and get on the roads early. The Oregon Department of Transportation advised that the area may see some wind, rain, ice, snow and fog, which may present driving challenges for those trying to travel for the holiday. Drivers are advised to pay attention to weather and road conditions, and stay aware of weather warnings and advisories. ODOT District 13 manager Ace Clark said the agency will have crews on the highway plowing snow and applying sand and salt as needed. “Please plan extra travel time, be prepared for winter weather and drive according to the conditions of the road. We want everyone to get to their destination safely,” he said. Through the five years of the pilot program, the department wanted to see whether a small amount of salt could improve highway conditions and cut down on serious and fatal crashes. On average, in areas tested near the California border, state crews applied about 246 pounds of salt per lane mile. In the stretch of U.S. 95 in southeastern Ore- gon, they applied about 190 pounds per mile. A November 2017 report on the pilot project recom- mended between 150 and 300 pounds of salt should be applied per lane mile. ODOT was also required to use the least amount of salt possible to meet its goals, depending on weather and road conditions. The winter of 2016-17, which buried the Portland area and Willamette Valley in snow and ice, prompted the department to consider using salt more widely, Thompson said. And last year, lawmakers directed the state’s Trans- portation Commission to develop a winter mainte- nance plan that included the use of salt or another solid de-icer. The transportation department may use salt in Portland, Salem and Eugene as it sees fit, Thompson said. The agency will also monitor high-traffic areas and places that get a lot of snow. In Salem, the state main- tains parts of Interstate 5 and sections of U.S. Highway 22, said Mark Becktel, the city’s public works opera- tions manager. But the city of Salem has no plans to use solid salt this winter, Becktel said. The city doesn’t use rock salt but it does use magne- sium chloride, another type of salt suspended in liquid. Becktel said the city’s forecasters are expecting more ice than snow. “The issues we’ve been warned to be more pre- pared for are black ice and ice storms, wind storms, not so much the occurrence of snow,” Becktel said. “We would prepare for a full win- ter either way.” Not all snow is created equal. The Willamette Val- ley is warmer and much more humid than areas east of the Cascades. Central Oregon, which typically sees a lot of snow, is much drier and colder, and powdery snow doesn’t respond as well to solid salt, Thompson said. Salt has other drawbacks. Storing it properly can be pricey. The transportation department has requested more money in the upcom- ing two-year budget for more salt storage. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is con- cerned that using salt could attract animals to roads, resulting in more crashes. But the transportation department found no cor- relation between using salt on the road and accidents involving animals. The state’s salt plan may change in the coming years. “I expect we’ll keep evolving this after the next year or two or three as we gain more experience, learn new lessons,” Thompson said. Late volunteer surge allows Warming Station to open The Hermiston Warm- ing Station was able to open Monday after all. The nonprofit emer- gency shelter had pushed its opening date back from Nov. 19 to Dec. 1 due to lack of volunteers. But after news of the shortage trav- eled, a late surge of volun- teers showed up to the last round of training sessions over the weekend. Warming Station board chair Teesie Hill said she wanted to thank everyone who responded to the need. She now has 141 trained volunteers on the roster, which should be enough to keep the warming station open every day. Hill said last year it served 84 different people through- out the winter, from homeless residents to stranded travelers 11/21 11/22 Cineplex Show Times $5 Classic Movie Cineplex Show Times $5 Classic Movie Today • 12pm What Ever Happened to Baby Jane 11/28 • 12pm DAVE WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (NR) 12:00* CREED II (PG13) 1:00* 4:00 7:00 10:00 CREED II (PG13) 1:00* 4:00 7:00 10:00 RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (PG) 11:50* 2:20* 7:20 4:50 9:50 RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (PG) 11:50* 2:20* 7:20 4:50 9:50 FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (PG13) 12:40* 6:40 3:40* 9:40 INSTANT FAMILY (PG13) 1:30* 4:10 6:50 9:30 DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (PG) 4:40 7:10 9:20 Page 3A HERMISTON Hermiston Realty to stay open after Donn Walls’ death ried or had children of his own, Looman said he was like family to her and to Hermiston Realty staff other co-workers. His cli- are in mourning after prin- ents were very important to cipal broker Donn Walls him too. “He was a died Friday. very charis- Walls, 79, was matic person and a staple of Herm- iston’s real estate worked hard for his clients,” she community. He said. was born in La W a l l s Grande, gradu- received many ated from Uma- tilla High School awards over his and got a degree Donn Walls career, including Columbia Basin in animal science from Oregon State Uni- Realtors’ Realtor of the versity before eventually Year in 2008. Looman said returning to the Hermiston not only did Walls work area in 1988. He worked tirelessly for his clients, for Universal Realty and but it helped that he was so bought Century 21, which connected to everyone in eventually became Herm- the community and knew iston Realty in 2001. the history of so many Patty Looman, office properties. Hermiston Realty agent manager for Hermiston Realty, and Travis Rock, Sandy Allen said she got who handles the Hermis- her real estate license the ton Property Management same year Walls did. “He lived and breathed side of the business, said Walls was active in the real estate,” she said. Allen will be stepping community. He was pres- ident-elect of the Kiwanis up into the role of princi- Club and heavily involved pal broker for the business. in Umatilla High School’s It has been a rough time for staff — they were still hav- alumni association. His first love, they said, ing to inform people call- was real estate. But he ing the office on Tuesday also loved Arabian horses, that Walls had passed away orchids, going to Tri-Cities — but they said Hermis- Americans hockey games ton Realty will continue to and playing his lucky operate with “business as wild cherry machine at the usual.” “He would have wanted casino. “He was a very social us to continue on,” Rock person,” Rock said. said. A celebration of life ser- “Everyone was his friend.” Looman knew Walls for vice for Walls will be held 28 years, and Rock worked Monday at 10 a.m. in the with him for more than 30. Burns Mortuary chapel in While Walls never mar- Hermiston. By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian HERMISTON East Oregonian East Oregonian FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (PG13) 12:40* 6:40 3:40* 9:40 INSTANT FAMILY (PG13) 1:30* 4:10 6:50 9:30 DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (PG) 12:20* 2:30* 4:40 7:10 9:20 * Matinee Pricing * Matinee Pricing wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216 to families whose heat went out. People in need of shelter for the night can go to the sta- tion in the evenings at 1075 S. Highway 395, across from Tower Apartments. Check-in is from 7:30-9 p.m., although volunteers will admit people after that if they’re brought by police, social workers or clergy. The warming station does not serve meals, but does provide guests with hot drinks like coffee and cider and a snack for breakfast as they’re leaving. Dona- tions of those items, along with cleaning supplies, laun- dry supplies, toiletries, ear plugs, socks, gloves and hand warmers are welcome. To donate, call 360-508- 4523 to arrange for a drop- off time. For updates on the Herm- iston Warming Station, visit its Facebook page. COMING EVENTS WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 CUSTOMER APPRECIA- TION SALE, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sal- vation Army Thrift Store, 1805 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton. Ev- erything 50 percent off storewide. Proceeds benefit Salvation Army community programs. Volunteers welcome. (Bill Dochnahl 509-521- 7388) THURSDAY, NOV. 22 COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP DINNER, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Hermis- ton High School commons, 600 S. First St., Hermiston. Free tradi- tional Thanksgiving dinner for all residents. COMMUNITY THANKSGIV- ING DINNER, 12-2 p.m., Sal- vation Army, 150 S.E. Emigrant Ave., Pendleton. Free and open to everyone. Delivery available for seniors and disabled citizens. (541-276-3369) COMMUNITY THANKSGIV- ING MEAL, 1 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church parish hall, 140 W. Church St., Heppner. Every- one welcome. Free. COMMUNITY THANKSGIV- ING DINNER, 1 p.m., Life Church of Pilot Rock, 222 S.W. Third St., Pilot Rock. Donation of side dish or dessert welcome, but not re- quired. Non-perishable food or cash donations will be distributed by the Pilot Rock Food Pantry. Free. (Sheila Buckley 541-215- 7974) COMMUNITY THANKS- GIVING DINNER, 1:30-4 p.m., Boardman Senior Center, 100 Ta- tone St., Boardman. Praise ser- vice at 1:30 p.m., dinner served from 2-4 p.m. Free and open to everyone. (503-724-8823, 503- 307-5646 or 541-481-3257) COMMUNITY THANKS- GIVING DINNER, 4-6 p.m., First Christian Church, 518 S. Main St, Milton-Freewater. Turkey and all thetrimmings, free for all commu- nity members. (Janet Collins 541- 938-3854) FIDDLER’S NIGHT, 6:30- 8:30 p.m., Avamere Assisted Liv- ing, 980 W. Highland Ave., Herm- iston. Enjoy light refreshments, listen to some favorite oldies or join in the jam session. All ages welcome. (Lori 541-567-3141) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 FREE FISHING DAY, 7 a.m.- 8 p.m., all fishable waters, in Ore- gon including, Pendleton. No fish- ing, crabbing or clamming tags or licenses required on Free Fishing Days, but all other regulations ap- ply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. (Michelle Dennehy 503-947-6022) WALKING FOR WELL- NESS, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Pend- leton Recreatio Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Get some exercise even when the weather is bad. Free. (Csey Brown 541-276-8100) Comfort Food at Hamley Steakhouse NEW WINTER MENU All your favorites - plus we’ve added Baby Back Ribs, Chuck Wagon Burger and Mushroom Bleu Burger! 8 SE COURT, PENDLETON 541.278.1100 H AMLEY S teakhouse & S aloon OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
