The Tillamook County Department of Public Works has approved a new route for the Cape Meares Loop Road replacement that, ultimately, will reopen Oceanside’s alternative access road.
In addition, the new roadway, which was approved by the Oceanside Neighborhood Association on Feb. 4, will resurrect the third cape of the Three Capes Scenic Route, a highly touted tourist attraction.
Liane Welch, county Public Works director told the ONA on Feb. 4 that $12 million of the needed $13 million cost of the road has been raised through several federal funding mechanisms. The final $1 million will be raised by her department, she said.
The approved new route is known as the “North Alignment” on the county’s plan. In its approval action, the ONA also requested that bicycle lane be part of the new road.
A series of landslides caused Tillamook County to close Cape Meares Loop Road north of the cape several years ago, and it was opened on an emergency basis only twice last year when Oceanside’s other access, Highway 131, closed because of two failing culverts.
The Tillamook County Public Works Department has chosen the “North Alignment” (shown in orange above) as the preferred new route for the Cape Meares Loop Road replacement. It is studying a “shortcut” between B16-02 and B16-6, which will reduce costs.
