MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- A petition to improve safety along sections of the McKenzie Highway is on the fast track, according to its author, Dr. Dennis Ary of Leaburg. Currently, he’s placed it in a dozen area businesses and created a tool for email responses.

The main issue he’s addressing involves improving poor nighttime visibility, especially in the rain. “The headlights of oncoming vehicles obscure the centerline and roadside edge such that a driver can’t determine where the center and edge are,” Arty says. “This situation is worst in the sections of the highway that have been resurfaced, because the smooth surfaces reflect the oncoming lights like a mirror.”



His solution is to ask the Oregon Dept. of Transportation to install centerline reflectors and more reflectors posts on three sections of the roadway. Those areas include from the intersection of 72nd Street and 126 to Hendricks Bridge, from Walterville to Vida, and Ben & Kay Dorris Park to Finn Rock. The fast track is due to the schedule of the Local Area Commission on Transportation meeting, set for next Wednesday, March 13th.

Ary has placed petitions in Mather’s Market, McKenzie Stage Stop Restaurant, Aunt Ding’s Restaurant, C & K Market, Leaburg Country Store, Ike’s Lakeside Pizza, Vida Community Market, Vida Café, Vida Community Center, Meyer’s General Store, Harbick’s Country Store, and the McKenzie Bridge General Store. People who support the petition can send an email to: fomvyes@gmail.com. Opponents can email: fomvno@gmail.com. In the subject line include the word ODOT and in the text include your name and address.

“At the March 13th meeting, the final recommendations of the Lane ACT will be voted on,” Ary notes. “So, we have to hurry if any action is going to be taken this year regarding Highway 126-East.”