Here's a story about the road (written by Eric Florip) from the
East Oregonian 11/18/09:
It's been open for two weeks now, but the new Airport Road
west of Pendleton added significantly to its traffic load
Tuesday.
That's when a convoy of at least two dozen cars and trucks -
driven by city officials, business owners and other leaders -
cruised down the five-mile stretch of pavement after a ceremonial
ribbon-cutting. Mayor Phil Houk did the honors with these words:
"for Pendleton's future."
Tuesday's "official" opening ended a process close to 40
years in the making, according to Houk. The idea of a connector
road to a possible industrial park next to Eastern Oregon Regional
Airport, he said, has been floated in some form or another for
decades. City leaders now hope the finished product lures new
businesses - and new jobs - to bolster Pendleton's economy.
Providing easier access is intended to spur that
development.
Houk said he remembers moving to Pendleton in the late 1970s,
in the midst of a mayoral campaign. Even then, a possible road
emerged as a main point of debate.
"Now we have something to show them, rather than say, 'This
is something we're going to do," Houk said. "It is something that's
really exciting for me personally and for the city."
The finished road could cost about $9.5 to $10 million,
including other water line and infrastructure work done there, said
Pendleton Public Works Director Bob Patterson. A 4-cent-per gallon
gas tax, passed by Pendleton voters earlier this year, helped cover
a portion of that.
The road itself cost close to $8 million, Patterson said,
including $1 million for the one-mile stretch the city took care
of. Final costs should be known within the next month, he
said.
The caravan of attendees cruised slowly down the newly
finished road under dreary skies. Led by a police escort in a
1948-model squad car, Houk followed next in his Ford Super Duty
pickup. It was his second time driving the road, having taken his
first voyage down the corridor last Sunday, he said.
Most of Pendleton's existing industrial land sits near
Westgate, on the west side of town. The Airport Road extension
provides access to another 650 acres more, Houk said.
"Once we get that first (tenant) up here, then it will
blossom, I think," Houk said, adding he hopes that happens
"relatively soon."
Tracy Bosen, Pendleton's economic development director, said
a "handful of prospects" may be on the horizon, perhaps as early as
next spring. He hesitated to say whether that's a direct result of
Airport Road's progress or completion, but said it kept Pendleton
among their options.
"Every one of them that I'm working with, transportation is a
key factor," Bosen said. "Without the access, they would not be
looking at Pendleton." Bosen said the road was intentionally built
to handle heavy trucks if need be.
During an introduction at Elvis' bar in the airport, Houk
noted the bleak outlook for Pendleton's economy just months ago,
culminating with the closure of Fleetwood Travel Trailers of
Oregon's Pendleton plant and the loss of nearly 250 jobs. That site
has since been bought by another RV manufacturer with plans to
bring back that many jobs and more. Houk said he hopes Airport Road
can continue that momentum.
"Pendleton is doing very well," Houk said. "We're coming
back, and this is going to set us up for a very bright
future."
Said Bosen: "We're at the jumping off point."
So jump off I-84 at Exit 202 or take the drive from the airport
and check out this newest superhighway. You're looking for a small
snapware container. There isn't much for hiding spots around here
so you should be able to find it pretty easily.