By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times
The state is actively planning to relocate the Mount Hood rest area in Government Camp, prompted by traffic issues and space constraints at the current site. The existing rest area, located near the east end of Government Camp Loop and Highway 26, contributes to congestion and creates navigation challenges for semis and larger vehicles. Additionally, it shares parking with the Summit Pass Ski Area, further complicating access.
In 2021, Governor Kate Brown brought a team together to evaluate the move, and discussions have continued since. Over the past three months, the team has sought input from the community and travelers. An initial project survey was open to all interested parties from November through the end of January. In addition, a “popup” community event was held on January 10 at the Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp. A second survey during this planning process will be available in March.
According to Sandra Hikari of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the popup event succeeded in drawing attention to the survey, and sparked conversations about what is needed most in a rest area on Highway 26. “It’s been really helpful to get their views. But also letting people know that this area will be moving.” Hikari continued, “Many were surprised, so it was a great information exchange, just keeping folks informed about the process.”
Doug Decker of Oregon Connections said, “One of the themes that we heard during the popup event was about not co-locating the rest area in existing snow parks and recreation sites. That’s important stuff.”
One major concern raised during planning is the potential loss of the restrooms facilities when the rest area is moved. Decker says that has been at the top of their thought process, “We can’t proceed until we address this need,” said Decker. “That’s a top priority and something we heard loud and clear during the popup event. We want people to know we’re listening.”
Plans for new public restrooms are already in motion. Nick Rinard, president of the Government Camp Community Planning Organization (CPO), explained that a need for separate pedestrian restrooms was identified as far back as the 1990s, long before the discussion of moving the rest area. During a January committee meeting, a likely location for walk-up restrooms was identified just east of the town’s retail core.
Rinard praised the efforts of Teresa Christopherson of Clackamas County Social Services for securing funding for the project, which came from Congressman Earl
Blumenauer’s office. The new restrooms are expected to be built well before the rest area is relocated.
The search is underway to find a location on Highway 26 for the new rest area, somewhere between Warm Springs and Sandy. “It’s very early in the planning process,” Hikari says, “We’re looking for a location that allows enough visual cues to turn into a facility, based on the ideal parameters, and to also accommodate semi trucks. It’s approximately a 12-acre site that we would need. And if you think about all the natural and cultural resources on the mountain, there are a lot of constraints. It’s not an easy process.”
To receive project updates or for more information, sign up for the newsletter on the ODOT website (oregon.gov/odot), project 23624.
Project schedule
Project planning and concept design:
2024-2025
Preliminary and intermediate design:
2025-2026
Final Design:
2025-2028
Construction:
2028-2029