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Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov

Hello Friends,

I've lived in Corvallis for twenty years and have traveled up and down Highway 99 more times than I can count. Too often we have heard about traffic accidents and fatalities on HW 99 (SW 3rd St) in South Corvallis. I will be a strong advocate for the safety changes needed to protect everyone who uses this road; pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.

Thankfully, the Oregon Department of Transportation is ahead of us and has been planning for safety upgrades for some time. In July of 2024, they released a 63-page plan that dives into all aspects of the safety improvement options.

Here's an update on what is happening with improving safety on Highway 99.

The neighborhoods, schools, and commercial establishments that contribute to the vibrancy of South Corvallis require well-connected, transportation facilities for all modes of travel. It crucial to implement safety measures that enhance protection and minimize conflicts for all modes of transportation.

Crashes There were 159 crashes reported during the 2018-2022 period. Rear-end crashes are the most common, at 34%, and turning crashes, at 30%. Vulnerable users account for 58% of high severity crashes, of which there were 5 fatal crashes and 7 with serious injury. There were also 8 crashes involving struck bicyclists, 6 involving struck pedestrians. OR 99W includes locations, scored by the Safety Priority Index System in the 2021-2023 reporting periods, ranked in the top 5% (and top 15% statewide) of most dangerous locations across the state system.

Traffic In 2023, OR 99W highway had 24,317 average annual daily trips (AADT) near Chapman Place and 6,476 AADT near Airport Avenue. Truck traffic ranges from 3.6% in the northern portion of the corridor to 20.5% of trips near Airport Avenue.

Improvements

Construction is estimated to start in 2026 on a project to repave OR 99W. The budgeted $7.1 million project is currently being designed to address poor pavement, as well as adding buffered bike lanes, improved striping visibility, and ADA curb ramps.

Other improvements ODOT has identified, listed below, will need coordination with the City of Corvallis and/or Benton County and funding. 

Hands Off!

Rep. Finger McDonald Speaks at the Corvallis Hands Off Rally on April 5th

On April 5th, I had the honor of speaking at the Hands Off! rally in Corvallis, where we came together to protest an administration determined to undermine our freedom and compromise our democracy. I was proud of our community for turning out to line both sides of 4th street for blocks, waving signs and flags, and peacefully practicing our 1st Amendment rights. The rally was a call to action, a demand that we defend our rights, our essential services, and our workers who are being threatened every day. Standing with so many passionate individuals, I felt the urgency to resist this assault on our rights and reaffirmed my commitment to fighting for Oregonians and our community's values. Together, we have the strength to stand up to these threats and protect the liberties that make our democracy strong.

Before the rally, I had the privilege of speaking at the monthly League of Women Voters town hall meeting. Senator Gelser Blouin was also kind enough to join us, and after a short legislative update, we answered questions about Coffin Butte, Adair Village, methane monitoring, transportation infrastructure, housing needs, disability rights advocacy, how we leverage federal dollars for Medicaid, and more! I am grateful to the LWV for planning and hosting these monthly meetings.

On April 9th, my funding request for wastewater infrastructure for Adair Village passed out of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness as part of HB 3939A, a bill which will bring funding to a range of infrastructure for housing projects in small communities.  Adair Village currently has 300 workforce housing units under construction, with the ability to build over 1,000 in total. This capital investment will allow the city to continue building homes for families that will feed into the Corvallis School District and provide much-needed housing for working professionals in our district. House Bill 3939A now heads to Ways and Means.

On April 8th, my Task Force Bill, HB 3794, on Coffin Butte passed out of Committee after robust testimony in support of it. One concern is the management of leachate, the toxic liquid created by water percolating through waste. Coffin Butte produced over 40 million gallons of leachate in 2024. The bulk of which is diluted in wastewater and released into the Willamette River. Now, HB 3794 goes to Ways and Means.

Upcoming Events

Thursday April 10, 2025

Town Hall with Senator Gelser Blouin

• 7:00pm at the Russell Tripp Theater, Lane-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany, OR 97321 

Friday April 11, 2025

Grand Opening of Beaver Classic Creamery!

• 5:00pm Withycombe Hall, 2901 SW Campus Way. ICE CREAM!!!

Yours truly,

Representative Sarah Finger McDonald, PhD
House District 16

email: Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1416
address: 900 Court St NE, H-477, Salem, OR 97301
website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mcdonald