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Oct. 3, 2025
We’re planning the final round of curb ramp upgrades in Eastern Oregon. Most of the work will take place in Pendleton, but crews will also be active in Haines, La Grande and Sumpter.
As part of this effort, we're reviewing all ramps in Region 5 to make sure we didn’t miss any locations. Some sites were not included in earlier projects because of issues like permitting or utility conflicts. In addition, a few ramps that were previously upgraded now need repairs. This means we'll be returning to some communities we've already visited. These remaining locations are included in phases 3 and 5.
We will upgrade ramps in Pendleton along Emigrant and Dorion Avenues.
- Project design: 2024-2025.
- Project bids: October 2025.
- Construction: Spring-summer 2026.
We will upgrade curb ramps in the communities of Haines, La Grande and Sumpter. We will also work at remaining locations in Union, Baker and Wallowa counties.
- Project design: 2024-2026.
- Project bids: March 2026.
- Construction: Summer 2026 into 2027.
We will return to Pendleton and continue upgrading curb ramps along Court, Emigrant, and Dorion Avenues, Westgate and Northgate.
- Project design: 2024-2026.
- Project bids: October 2026.
- Construction: 2027 and 2028.
We will finish our curb ramp upgrades in Pendleton, along Frazer, Emigrant and Dorion avenues. Other locations in Eastern Oregon include Echo, Hermiston, La Grande, and Huntington.
- Project design: 2024-2027.
- Project bids: March 2027.
- Construction: Fall 2027 into 2028.
 Map for Phases 2, 4 and 5 in Pendleton.
Work in Pendleton
As we work on curb ramps in Pendleton, you will notice that we’re not completing one street at a time. That’s because not every location is the same.
Some intersections are ready for construction. Others may have fire hydrants, utility boxes, or power poles that need to be moved—or they may require extra permits. These factors affect when and where we can build. We start with the locations that are ready. The ones that need more planning or coordination will be constructed during later phases.
Why are ADA curb ramps important?
ADA curb ramps provide access between the sidewalk and road for people using wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, hand carts, bicycles and for pedestrians who have trouble stepping up and down curbs.
People with disabilities and everyone who uses sidewalks along the highway will benefit from the curb ramp upgrades.
What does it take to make a curb ramp ADA compliant?
The ODOT ADA Program is upgrading over 25,000 curb ramps in Oregon. This is to make sure they meet ADA standards.
Improving a curb ramp requires many steps and experts to achieve full ADA compliance. For example:
- Designing curb ramps to fit the location using national best practices and guidance from the U.S. Access Board.
- Removing barriers in existing curb ramps like the size of the lip from the street to the curb ramp entrance.
- Making the slope on the ramp less steep and creating a wider area to allow turning.
- Verifying location information and ensuring the ramp style is acceptable for a compliant ramp.
- Securing contractors to build the curb ramps.
While we’re focused on building new curb ramps and fixing old ones, we may also close crossings that aren’t safe—like places with highly skewed crossings, obstacles such as railroad tracks, or where pedestrians aren’t visible to drivers. As we make these improvements across the state, we also include accessibility upgrades in bigger construction projects and build curb ramps on their own when needed.
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