Sidewalk work to cause brief traffic delays in La Grande, Haines, Sumpter

The Oregon Department of Transportation will conduct soil sampling March 2–6 along sidewalks and highway shoulders in La Grande, Haines and Sumpter to prepare for Phase 3 of the Eastern Oregon 2024-2027 ADA curb ramps project, and travelers should expect brief parking‑lane and shoulder closures at named intersections. "Travelers in La Grande, Haines and Sumpter should expect minor delays March 2 - 6 due to soil sampling work along sidewalks and highway shoulders," ODOT warned, noting drilling at each site should be short.

In La Grande, crews will work at the intersection of Island Avenue and the eastbound I-84 on‑ramp and at multiple blocks along Adams Avenue between First and 18th streets. Adams Avenue sampling locations listed for the work include Adams at First Street; Second Street; Third Street; Fourth Street; Chestnut Street; Depot Street; Greenwood Street; Maple Street; Cherry Street; Box Elder Street; Willow Street; Hall Street; and 18th Street.

Haines locations targeted for one- to two-hour drill stops are Front Street at Second Street, Front Street at Fourth Street and Front Street at Fifth Street. In Sumpter, crews will sample at the intersection of Austin Street and Mill Street (also described in notices as Mill Street near Austin Street), with maps for the sample locations provided in project materials.

The sampling aims to identify whether hazardous compounds are present so contractors can safely handle and dispose of materials during the curb‑ramp replacements. "The samples are to identify if there are any hazardous compounds in the materials. This will allow contractors to safely handle and dispose of the materials during the project," project notices state. ODOT plans to solicit bids for the Phase 3 curb ramp construction in June 2026, with construction scheduled to begin in the fall and possibly continue into 2027; the broader project is identified as Eastern Oregon 2024-2027 ADA curb ramps, phase 3. The work across all sites carries an estimated cost of $7.5 million.

Operational details released by ODOT say drilling at each location should only take an hour or two, the contractor will provide flaggers and traffic control to guide vehicles safely around work areas, and pedestrians will have access through or around work zones while businesses will remain open and accessible. "Pedestrians will have access through or around work zones. Businesses will remain open and accessible," the update states.

ODOT cautioned the schedule may change because of weather and indicated it will provide updates if needed. If the week of March 2 proceeds as planned, the short-duration soil sampling will clear the way for the June bid solicitation and the fall start of curb‑ramp construction intended to bring sidewalks and crossings in Eastern Oregon up to federal ADA standards.