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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2020)
9 sNok signflz NOVEMBER 15, 2020 Surveying crews prepping for eventual road improvements By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor DESIGN PLAN TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND REDUCE CONGESTION ON OR 18 AND OR 22. 22 MP 23.1 MP 24 18 MP 22 Study Area The virtual event will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, and include two different sites: The Tribe’s website will feature a short, pre-re- corded segment from Tribal Council. Facebook Live will have a raffle that automatically includes all Tribal members with no need to pre-reg- ister. “However, it is important to re- member that these plans may need to change,” Communications Direc- tor Sara Thompson says. “Tribal members should follow the Tribe’s Restoration Celebration Facebook event for the latest information.” Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy says moving the Resto- ration Celebration online allows the Tribe to honor the day while keeping Tribal and community members safe, especially since COVID-19 case num- bers are currently spiking in Oregon. “We’re saddened that we won’t be able to gather in person for this year’s Restoration Celebration,” Kennedy says. “But even in this time of uncertainty, we still want to recognize this important day and honor those that made Restoration a reality for the Grand Ronde Tribe.” It will be the first time since 1984 that the Tribe will not be hosting an in-person event due to the ongoing 18 Extended Study Area Map created by Samuel Briggs III (Salmon River Highway) experi- ences heavy traffic, especially on summer weekends, that creates considerable delays. During heavy traffic periods, drivers turning left from Hebo and Grand Ronde roads on to Highway 18 face a difficult task. In addition, First time since 1984 that Tribe will not be hosting an in-person event RESTORATION continued from front page N 22 Grand Ronde Rd. Surveying crews were busy in the Grand Ronde area during the last week of October, laying the founda- tion for eventual improvements to highways 18 and 22 by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Improvements on Highway 18 between Fort Hill and AR Ford roads are currently in the design phase, according to the project de- tails posted on the Transportation Department’s website. The planning and design process seeks to improve safety and mobil- ity on highways 18 and 22 (Hebo Road), support community and eco- nomic development, and enhance emergency routes. “This area has seen increasing traffic and a relatively high rate of crashes,” ODOT states. Currently, ODOT is developing a facility plan, updating its envi- ronmental assessment, conducting right-of-way surveys and preparing engineering plans and estimates. The surveys will “help support the planning and initial design of the project,” said ODOT spokesper- son Louis Torres. Design costs for the project are estimated at approximately $4.5 million. The funds are a combina- tion of federal, state, Polk County and Grand Ronde Tribal monies. “We have been working very closely with the Tribe on improving this intersection and stretch of OR 18,” Torres said. “The Tribe has been an important partner in this project.” According to ODOT, Highway 18 COVID-19 pandemic and state re- strictions that limit the number of people at indoor gatherings. The Tribe initially announced its decision in a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 23. “Grand Ronde’s federal recognition as a Tribal government was restored when the Grand Ronde Restoration Act was signed into law. Every year since then, we have gathered as a Tribe, a community and a family to celebrate our Restoration. Unfortu- nately, 2020 has left us in unprec- edented times and we can’t gather in person this year. Restoration will still be celebrated, but the celebra- tion will look a little different because we’re moving it online.” On Nov. 22, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed House Res- olution 3885 restoring the Grand Ronde Tribe, which had been ter- minated 29 years earlier, to federal recognition. His signature on the bill officially ended the dark time of Termination. Every year since, the Tribe has held a celebration. It usually in- cludes a meal, giveaways, speeches, dancing, drumming, singing, and a Restoration Powwow. Approxi- mately 200 Tribal members, family, friends and elected officials trav- eled to Grand Ronde in 2019 for the event, which was held in the Tribal gym. freight traffic has been using al- ternatives to Highway 18, posing safety issues on local roadways. “More crashes are happening with drivers crossing over the middle line into oncoming traffic or rear-ending cars ahead of them along this stretch of Oregon 18 and on local roadways,” ODOT says. The road improvements were identified by ODOT in 2004 as part of H.B. Van Duzer Forest Corridor to Steel Bridge Road environmental assessment and corridor refine- ment plan, which seeks to address safety and congestion concerns from the eastern edge of the Van Duzer Corridor and Steel Bridge Road east of Wallace Bridge. “This segment is a vital link between the Willamette Valley and the central Oregon coast that serves local, commuter, commercial and recreational traffic,” ODOT states. Tribal Public Works Coordinator John Mercier said the engineering phase of the project may be in- cluded in ODOT’s next three-year state transportation improvement program that runs from 2021-24 and hopefully actual construction can be included in the 2024-27 program. BTI Heavy Equipment Operator Training Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde This course is for participants that want to obtain valuable training and certifications in operating heavy equipment. Equipment will include the most widely used in heavy highway construction such as excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, and more. Participants will learn, both in our high-tech CAT Simulator mobile classroom and in the field, running equipment side by side with our experienced instructors. In addition to operation, participants will learn safety and preventive maintenance through exercises. such as detailed machine “walk-arounds”. Grand Ronde Tero is seeking applicants for our BTI equipment training course • • • • • 3-week course - some type of construction experience is preferred Must be 18 years of age and enrolled in the Tero skills pool Must sign a contractual agreement that you will complete the course A valid driver’s license is required Some travel is required Orientation: November 16, 2020 7:30 a.m Classroom/Simulation Lab - Tribal Campus 7:30-4:30 p.m. 11/16, 11/17, 11/18, 11/19, 11/20 11/30, 12/1, 12/2, 12/3, 12/4 Land Lab/Equipment Operation - Albany 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11 (Lab time dependent on weather & operating conditions) If interested contact CTGR Tero at 503-879-2139 or tero@grandronde.org