Newberg, Oregon Development News

Council Reopens East Illinois Street Intersection, Tasks Traffic Safety Commission with Long-Term Solution

The council discussed the temporary closure of East Illinois Street at its intersection with Main Street and Oregon 240. This closure, implemented as a trial in 2025, was intended to address safety concerns and congestion at the hazardous intersection. While the closure resolved some issues on East Illinois Street, it redirected traffic to nearby residential streets like North Street and Washington Street, leading to new safety concerns for those residents. Public comments highlighted the negative impacts on residential safety, increased traffic speeds, and the challenges for businesses needing reliable access to highways. Some council members expressed concerns about the lack of data-driven decision-making and inadequate community outreach. The council ultimately voted to reopen the intersection immediately while tasking the Traffic Safety Commission with developing a long-term solution.