A proposed realignment of S. Ott Road will have no adverse impact on nearby water resources, farmland, air quality or wildlife, according to an environmental assessment.
The assessment was requested by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in advance of the city of Hermiston’s proposed realignment of the S. Ott Road, which is located east of the Hermiston Airport. The realignment is needed for the road to be in compliance with the FAA.
At the end of each runway at the Hermiston Airport is a Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). According to the FFA, an RPZ should not contain any development such as roads that could put people in harm’s way from aircraft using the runway. A portion of S. Ott Road cuts through Runway 23’s RPZ.
The city will need to realign S. Ott Road so it does not run through the RPZ.
Since the RPZ for Runway 23 extends beyond the airport boundary, the city does not have control over the RPZ. To gain control of the RPZ, the city is planning on purchasing Tax Lot 500, which is approximately 140 acres.
The Oregon Aviation Plan identifies S. Ott Road passing through Runway 23’s RPZ as non-compliant. With the acquisition of Tax Lot 500, the city can realign S. Ott Road to be outside of the RPZ.
Approximately 4,000 feet of S. Ott Road will be realigned to be outside of Runway 23’s RPZ. The road will have a dedicated right-of-way of 66 feet and meet Umatilla County road standards for a rural collector. The realigned road will consist of a two-lane gravel road with 12-foot-wide travel lanes and 4-foot-wide shoulders.
Once the city acquires the 140 acres of land, it will become part of the airport.
The realignment is expected to take place during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Congratulations to all involved. A project like this doesn’t get put together without dedicated people working together. Thanks.
What a mess. That will eliminate another hay/agriculture farm as well as make it a huge mess for entering the fair grounds. I noticed no mention of the fair. Which road do the rodeo contestants and fair entrants use? Hopefully they at leave this mess alone until after fair.