Motorists driving east on Interstate 84 were only notified of the largest city in eastern Oregon until they were just two miles from Hermiston – until now.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has finished adding “Hermiston” to four freeway distance signs along I-84 eastbound. The signs, which show the distance to Hermiston, now appear at mile posts 111, 125, 138, and 149 between The Dalles, and Hermiston. The Dalles is at mile post 85, and the I-84/82 interchange is at mile post 180.
Before the signs were added, Hermiston and the surrounding area was the largest population center on a 300-mile stretch of I-84 without any distance signage except at the exits to the city and one sign two miles from the exits. Hermiston’s population has grown by more than 40 percent over the past 20 years and now has more than 36,000 people living within 10 miles of the city.
The area’s location at the intersection of two interstate highways (84 & 82) has resulted in a major transportation-oriented job cluster, but previously no signage existed to assist transporters in finding the city exits. Hermiston also offers a full complement of traveler services including food, lodging, fuel, and a complete healthcare system.
