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Coastal Planning

Transportation Issues on the Coast

Transportation

The Oregon coast, especially the southern Oregon coast, is geographically isolated
from the rest of the state. Limited transportation options and lack of direct and rapid
connections to major markets are significant barriers to development on the
coast. Road connections east over the Coast Range to Interstate 5 continue to be
improved, but traffic congestion and safety concerns remain issues, especially on Hwy 18/22 from Lincoln City and Hwy 20 from Newport.

The Oregon Coast Highway, Highway 101, was not completed until 1936. Hwy 101 is a multi-function roadway that serves as one of the states most scenic and heavily traveled tourist routes, as the Main Street in most of the communities it bisects, and the regions only north/south freight corridor. Managing and balancing these many competing functions for optimal benefit is a challenge. In addition to congestion, freight movement on Hwy 101 is limited by height and width restrictions on some historic bridges and vehicle length restrictions along certain stretches of roadway. Because the coast is located in a geologically active zone, detours, delays and road closures due to landslides are to be expected along Hwy 101. Periodic flooding also inundates the roadway along some stretches of the north coast.

Other modes, such as rail, air and sea transport also have limitations along the coast.
No continuous north-south rail service exists. Four rail lines run inland from the coast,
but track and bridge facilities are generally in poor condition.

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