“”It’s a great place to ride and I don’t want to take that away from anyone.”
— ODOT maintenance manager Larry Olson
The Oregon Department of Transportation has responded to reports that Troutdale residents scattered tacks on the shoulder of the Historic Columbia River Highway — a popular bike route and gateway to riding in the Gorge.
Larry Olson is ODOT’s maintenance manager for that area and he says they’ve confirmed that a retired Oregon State Trooper will monitor the area to “keep an eye out this weekend and watch for suspicious activity.” Olson also told me that work crews are out right now sweeping the shoulder with a large magnet attached to the front of a truck.
Olson says his section manager told him they could sweep the area on Monday, but according to Olson, “That’s not good enough… we need to do it tomorrow [Friday]”.
Olson says he was aware of similar tack incidents happening in the past and that he takes the issue very seriously. It also helps that Olson enjoys biking on the road himself from time to time. “It’s a great place to ride,” he said, “and I don’t want to take that away from anyone.”