The ODOT HDM discusses the importance of accommodating pedestrians and cyclists in “transition zones”. These transitions often occur when high-speed rural highways (e.g., Oregon 82) enter urbanized areas. The HDM indicates that visual cues and other design elements are critical to informing motorists that they are entering a changing environment that is urbanized, requires slower speeds, and greater attention to pedestrians, cyclists and transit vehicles. The HDM recommends various treatments on rural state highways where they enter urbanized areas, including bike lanes, sidewalks with planter strips, marked crosswalks and landscape features. On the state highway system in the city, the primary rural/urban transition areas exist along Oregon 82 north of town, E Wallowa Avenue/Imnaha Highway on the east, and Eighth Street/Wallowa Lake Highway to the south. A variety of treatments are proposed to visually cue motorists that they are entering the city, including shoulder bikeways and sidewalks.
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)