By Yoko Minoura
The (Bend) Bulletin
Over the past four years, there have been 15 incidents in
which drivers on Highway 97 south of Bend, Ore., lost control,
slid across the highway and struck an object on the opposite
shoulder, according to an Oregon Department of Transportation
But a new median barrier installed on Highway 97 near Lava
Butte by ODOT in Aug. 2003 is preventing these and other accidents
caused by vehicles sliding into oncoming traffic, according
to a release from ODOT's Dan Knoll.
Sgt. Dan Bilyeu of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
said that during winter, the combination of snow or ice, the
slope of the highway and the bank of the curve create a hazard
Even vehicles headed south, or uphill, have sometimes slid
backward and across lanes of oncoming traffic, he said.
Motorists should make sure their vehicles have adequate traction
when traveling the highway in winter weather, he said.
"We know that section of highway tends to have slick
conditions" in winter, Knoll said.
"I can't emphasize enough that folks need to drive according
to the (weather) conditions."
According to the ODOT release, the barrier has been struck
at least 14 times since it went up.
"It shows the importance of having the barrier up there,"
The median barrier can also contain problems on the highway,
Bilyeu said. If a semitrailer jackknifes, the barrier ensures
"it's not creating havoc across the entire four lanes."
The area does not seem to pose a problem during the summer
months, Bilyeu said.
The barrier, which cost $975,000, includes concrete segments
and metal guardrail. There are gaps to allow deer migration
and provide access to the highway from side streets without
compromising public safety, Knoll said.
Photo: Motorists pass each other on Highway 97 north of
Lava Butte on Friday. A barrier in the median has made the
area safer for drivers, according to the Oregon Department
of Transportation. (Courtesy of Dean Guernsey / The Bulletin.)