Prineville, Ore. – Crook County is once again updating its long-range transportation planning, and this time, officials are emphasizing the importance of community input as they weigh priorities ranging from congestion relief to new roadway access in rural neighborhoods like Juniper Canyon.
The county’s Transportation System Plan (TSP), a blueprint for infrastructure investment over the next two decades, is undergoing a significant revision. Among the most anticipated topics: possible new access routes for Juniper Canyon, a fast-growing area southeast of Prineville that currently relies on a limited number of roadways.
According to Crook County officials, upcoming public open houses will give residents a chance to weigh in on two major components of the plan: proposed alternatives for Juniper Canyon access and a final list of recommended countywide transportation projects. Both sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at Carey Foster Hall in Prineville, with the first session at noon focused on Juniper Canyon and the second at 6:00 p.m., which is focuses on the TSP more broadly.
Safety and Growth at the Forefront
The plan also targets persistent safety concerns and bottlenecks at major intersections, including the Powell Butte Highway and Highway 126—areas that have seen increased traffic as the region grows. The update includes new design concepts, estimated costs, and early analysis of the potential impacts tied to building out new infrastructure.
“We’re looking ahead to what Crook County will need—not just now, but 20 years from now,” said Community Development Director John Eisler to Central Oregon Daily. “These open houses are critical for making sure we’re reflecting what the public actually wants from our transportation system.”
County staff say the plan will also incorporate elements of a separate Transportation Safety Action Plan, which is currently underway.
Juniper Canyon Access in the Spotlight
The noon open house will focus exclusively on Juniper Canyon, where transportation limitations have long drawn complaints from residents who face lengthy detours and limited emergency egress options. With recent housing development in the area, the County is under pressure to find both practical and financially feasible solutions to improve access.
Updated alternatives and cost estimates for potential new roads will be presented, and members of the public will be invited to weigh in on what solutions they prefer.
Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford told the Prineville Review that public engagement on the TSP was critical, especially potential access alternatives or improvements to the existing access to Juniper Canyon
“Improving the transportation system in Crook County is an extremely high priority,” said Crawford.
Crawford also expressed concerns that there also needed to be an evening open house on the Juniper Canyon issues, a concern being echoed by Crook County citizens who have recently reached out to the Prineville Review (and reportedly to commissioners as well). As of now, the session focused on Juniper Canyon is set for midday.
“I have heard from people that they would like to have an evening meeting about the Juniper Canyon second access,” said Crawford. “We will be having a meeting in the near future in the evening to ensure that people that are busy during the day have the opportunity to hear about the options and give their input.”
We did not hear back from Commissioners Barney or Hermreck before press time, but we will update the story if responses are received shortly after publication.
Public Engagement Extends Online
For those unable to attend in person, Crook County is offering an online option to review open house materials and complete a public survey from April 16 through May 2. Feedback submitted through the project website will help shape the final version of the plan before adoption.
More information and the survey link are available at: https://co.crook.or.us/commdev/webform/cc-tsp-update
Residents requiring accommodations to participate can contact Eisler at [email protected] before the May 2 deadline.
