Crook County revamping transportation plan

The last time Crook County took a look at its transportation plan was in 2005. Now, after 12 years, they are looking at revising the plan.

County leaders said Tuesday they are looking at ways to make roads safer, not just for cars but for bikes and pedestrians as well.

Crook County Judge Seth Crawford said the roads are in good condition right now, and county crews have done a good job maintaining the roads. But the county wants to plan ahead before the roads fall below the standards they are at now.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is partnering with the county on the project, but funding sources have been called into question.

Crawford said the county is leaning on the state and the federal government for more help with transportation needs.

“We’re losing funding from our federal government because of a lack of timber sales, and lack of secure rural schools, which was meant to compensate us for the lack of timber,” Crawford said. “And we need to find ways to fund those roads and keep that maintenance up.”

The Secure Rural Schools funding that the county was so dependent on has been in place since 2000, but has decreased in value ever since.

With a drop in funds from the logging industry that once went toward roads, he county is looking for money in other places.

Crawford said he is hopeful they will get funding from the state to make sure the roads are kept up.

James Good, the owner of Good Bikes, said he believes the roads are in good condition, but that more can always be done to improve safety.

He said bike lanes often aren’t enough.

“Signage, bike lanes are great, but they don’t prevent anything either,” Good said. “You know, yeah, I guess just getting everybody on the same page and working toward a means of keeping everybody safe on the road, whether it’s a cyclist or an automobile.”

Crook County officials said part of their plan is to put up more signage on many roads across the county.

One of them is Juniper Canyon Road, near the Prineville Reservoir, which has been a problem area.

The plan is set to go in front of Crook County Court on Oct. 18 for final approval.