About
We are working on a safety study for transportation improvements to U.S. 97 from High Bridge to Madras in Jefferson County. U.S. 97 is an important route that serves both regional and local traffic and is in need of safety improvements.

Location
U.S. 97
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This project will study safety concerns along U.S. 97 between the High Bridge located on the Jefferson/Deschutes County line to the southern Madras City Limits (Milepost 97.3 to Milepost 112.6).
Cost and Funding
$200,000
While the funding crisis is having a profound effect on ODOT's maintenance and operations, most construction projects will continue as planned. These projects are typically funded through separate capital programs, often with state or federal funds that are legally restricted to project development and cannot be redirected for maintenance or day-to-day operations. Delays may still occur due to a reduced workforce. Fewer available staff for traffic control, inspections and project oversight could slow down timelines or introduce challenges in project delivery. For more information on ODOT's funding crisis, visit our website.
Benefits
To develop the safety study, we will look at conditions on the highway today and into the future, document public concerns, describe major needs, and solicit feedback from the community on potential projects. At the end of the process, we will select the preferred projects for U.S. 97, pursue adoption with the Oregon Transportation Commission, and work to fund improvements.
What Problem Will This Improve?
This stretch of U.S. 97 has safety issues for all roadway users and has seen an increase in fatal and serious injury crashes over the last several years. ODOT and Jefferson County have made some intersection improvements to reduce crashes but a safety study is needed for a comprehensive list of projects in the corridor.