Tri-Cities Drivers Heading to Boise Will Notice This New I-84 Safety Feature

If you're traveling this summer from the Tri-Cities to Boise, you'll see some significant changes along I-84 as you get near LaGrande and Burnt River Canyon.

I-84 Safety Project Targets Crash-Prone Curves in Eastern Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation has added some extra-thick white lines to the roadways.

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Oregon Installs New Safety Striping on I-84 Near La Grande and Huntington

According to the posting, "these high-visibility markings are part of a safety effort designed to discourage lane changes in tight, winding areas and help drivers stay more alert as they enter challenging curves."

credit: Oregon DOT via Facebook

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The goal of the new thick white lines is to help drivers navigate dangerous curves and make them more aware of the dangers inherent in driving at a high rate of speed and going around corners on a grade.

These extra-thick lines on the roads have been proven to increase the visibility of pavement markings, which can help reduce crashes by making lane boundaries and roadway alignment easier for drivers to see

Other roads in Oregon are using the same strategy include:

• I-5 Myrtle Creek curves (northbound curves)

• U.S. 26 Vista Ridge Tunnel

• I-5 Medford Viaduct (both directions)

• I-5 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in north Portland (northbound)

So, as you are traveling this summer, be extra aware of these road changes as you travel through Oregon.

The ODOT is also researching these added safety precautions to see if the lines have any effect on the accidents on I-84, and ODOT says that it usually takes about two years before the information will be available.