Older Entries
Older entries are listed below in descending chronological order.
Post Construction Report
The Dennis Edwards Tunnel project post-construction report is now available. Please visit the Project Library to download the file.
Tunnel project in the news
Article: "Edwards Tunnel improvements nearing completion"
Read the full article from the June 24, 2011 Tillamook Headlight Herald
Tunnel closures expected to end Friday, June 24
Nightime closures of the Dennis Edwards Tunnel are expected to be complete by Friday, June 24, 2011. Read the latest project newsletter for more details.
Tunnel project in the news
Article: "Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel detours set to begin Monday"
Reporters from the Daily Astorian attended the Dennis Edwards Tunnel project open house in Cannon Beach on January 12, 2011. Read the article covering the event here.
Check out the Project on TravelOregon.com
Click here to see the highlights of the Dennis Edwards Tunnel project on the Travel Oregon Blog.
January Open Houses
ODOT will host two open houses in January 2011 in Banks and in Cannon Beach. Join us to learn about the latest project schedule and to meet the contractor and project manager.
Cannon Beach Open House
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce
207 N Spruce St
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
Banks Open House
Thursday, January 13, 2011
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Banks Christian Academy
22785 Northwest Fisher Road
Buxton, OR 97109
Click here for more information on meetings for this project.
Tunnel project in the news
ODOT preps for Dennis Edwards tunnel construction, selects California contractor
Cannon Beach Gazette
November 23, 2010
"As the scheduled January start date for improvements to U.S. Highway 26's Dennis Edwards Tunnel edges closer, the Oregon Department of Transportation is taking steps to prepare for construction and to educate residents about the impact the work will have on traffic flow to and from the North Coast . . ."
Click here to read the full story.
Join us at the Seaside Holiday Gift Fair!
Throughout the winter, ODOT will continue to spread the word about the Dennis Edwards Tunnel project, nighttime closure times and the detour route so that coastal residents, businesses and U.S. 26 travelers can plan in advance.
ODOT will host an informational booth at the Seaside Holiday Gift Fair on Saturday, Nov. 27 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center. Stop by to get the latest project details and tunnel closure information, and a cup of coffee!
ODOT seeks alternative construction contracting method
ODOT is seeking an exemption from competitive bidding for this project in order to allow the use of an alternative contracting method known as “A plus C plus D – a form of Best Value.” This method uses the integration of price plus qualifications plus technical approach to provide a high-quality project. Selection of the successful contractor is considered “Best Value” because evaluation and scoring of qualifications and technical approach components will be considered along with the price component of each proposal to provide a total score.
A public hearing on the exemption was held on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at ODOT Region 1 Headquarters.
Click here for more information.
Outreach Effort: In the news
The project team reached out to coastal residents and tourists in the summer of 2010. Read the following press articles about this outreach:
Campaign begins to bring travelers to the coast during tunnel construction
Excerpt from the Daily Astorian, July 29, 2010
The message is this: The coast is clear. It will stay clear, too, even during the winter when repairs begin on the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel. Representatives from the Oregon Department of Transportation already are delivering that message to coastal visitors. Click here to read the full article...
Locals react to ODOT Edwards Tunnel project outreach
Excerpt from the Seaside Signal, July 28, 2010
Still reeling from a firestorm of public opinion over repairs for the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel on U.S. Highway 26 east of Seaside, the Oregon Department of Transportation launched a new public outreach campaign. Click here to read the full article...
ODOT's Summer Outreach
ODOT continues its public outreach campaign to assure coastal residents, business owners and tourists that the coast will be open for business while improvements are made to the Dennis Edwards Tunnel. On Tuesday, July 27 project team members hosted a booth at the Cannon Beach Farmer's Market, gave out free coffee and engaged visitors in conversation about the project. Hundreds of coastal residents and summer tourists visited the booth and learned that the Sunset Highway will be open weekdays and weekends during the construction, making travel and tourism more convenient.
Read MoreComments or Concerns?
If you have any comments or questions about this project, please let us know.
Click here to fill in the online comment form.
An Open Letter from ODOT
ODOT had planned to make a decision on the scope of project in mid-April. However, after a series of public meetings and a strong, consistent outpouring of public input, there has been a decision to remove the vertical clearance component from the tunnel project. ODOT recognizes concerns about the fragile economic conditions along the coast, and potential impacts to tourism-dependent communities from a public perception of a lengthy road closure.
Read More