The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Sisters City Council took another step toward construction of a roundabout at Highway 20 and Locust Street last week.

In their Wednesday, April 26 meeting, the Council approved Amendment No. 2 of the intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation for improvements on Highway 20 at Locust Street, allowing the project to move forward. They will begin moving dirt on the area most likely in February 2024, pending construction timelines and when funding from STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan) becomes available.

Council also approved the concept design of the Barclay Drive Improvement Project, allowing that project to move forward in the final design.

The City was presented with concept designs for the East Portal Transportation Hub and discussed the various phases the project would undergo throughout construction. The City Council approved the East Portal Transportation Hub Master Plan, allowing for final designs to be made for that project.

Public Works Director Paul Bertagna presented Council with a motion to award a slurry seal paving project contract. The City approved the contract with Pave Northwest, Inc. for $78,268.70. The project will by undertaken on Creekside Drive, Tyee Drive, Wapato Loop, and Timber Creek Drive. Slurry sealing is a maintenance treatment that prolongs the life span of asphalt. Due to studded tire traffic on our roads, the asphalt gets a lot of wear and tear. The slurry seal will be a Type 3, a finer crushed aggregate (rock). Residents living near those streets will be notified well before the slurry sealing begins.

The last item of business was approval of the contract of the new city manager, Jordan Wheeler, which includes a start date. The Council approved the contract after negotiations, and Wheeler is slated to start July 5.