U.S. Route 97 in Oregon

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This page discusses the route of U.S. Highway 97 through the state of Oregon.

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U.S. Route 97 is a major north-south United States highway which runs through the state of Oregon (among other states). In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Klamath Falls, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Biggs Junction, Oregon and Maryhill, Washington. Other than the northernmost stretch (which is known as the Sherman Highway), U.S. 97 (along with U.S. Highway 197) is known as The Dalles-California Highway

With the exception of Interstate 5, US 97 is the most important north-south highway corridor in the state. It serves two major population centers (Klamath Falls and Bend), and is the main corridor east of the Cascade Mountains. While much of the highway remains in two-lane undivided configuration, significant sections have been upgraded to expressway or freeway status.

1 Description
- 1.1 Highways comprising
2 Cities passed through
3 Intersects with other highways
4 Related US routes
5 External links

[edit] Description

The run of U.S. 97 in Oregon (running from south to north) start at the border between Oregon and California, south of the city of Klamath Falls. The highway starts out as a two-lane road, running through the arid Klamath River basin. Approaching the city of Klamath Falls, 97 becomes a freeway just south of the junction with Oregon highways 140 and 66. The freeway then runs along the western edge of the downtown region, ending at an interchange with Oregon State Route 39 near the Oregon Institute of Technology. Within Klamath Falls is a business route, which runs through downtown via Main Street/1st Avenue and Esplanade Avenue, then which turns back to the US97 mainline via the East Side Bypass (this latter segment co-signed with OR39).

Highway 97, once again primarily a 2-lane road, continues north along the eastern shore of Upper Klamath Lake. In the town of Chiloquin is an intersection with Oregon State Route 62, which provides access to Crater Lake National Park from the southeast; further north is an interchange with Oregon State Route 138 which provides access to the park from the northeast. Continuing north, near the town of Chemult is an interchange with Oregon State Route 58, which heads northwest to Eugene and the Willamette Valley.

In La Pine is a junction with Oregon State Route 31; this city marks the start of the Deschutes River recreation area (Crane Prairie Reservoir, the river's source, is located due west of La Pine). North of La Pine, the highway becomes an expressway as it passes by the resort community of Sunriver and heads towards the city of Bend.

In Bend, the highway travels on a RIRO expressway known as the Bend Parkway (though transportation officials like to claim the Parkway is not a freeway--it has a lower speed limit than the non-Interstate maximum of 55 mph (90 km/h) in Oregon); a business route runs parallel to the Parkway along 3rd Avenue (the prior route of US 97 before the parkway was built). In Bend one finds interchanges with Oregon State Route 372, the Cascade Lakes Highway, as well as U.S. Highway 20.

North of Bend, the highway continues as an expressway until it reaches the city of Redmond. Currently, 97 serves the downtown core of Redmond on a one-way couplet; but a new alignment is being planned which would bypass the downtown area. In Redmond is an intersection with Oregon State Route 126. Continuing north out of Redmond, one enters a high desert region marked by numerous deep river gorges, including the Crooked River gorge (which 97 passes over). Towns along the route include Terrebonne, which provides access to Smith Rock State Park, a climbing mecca, and Culver. North of Culver, the highway enters the agricultural community of Madras.

South of Madras is an intersection with U.S. Highway 26 headed eastbound; the two routes share an alignment through the city. On the northern edge of town, 97 forks off to the right, heading northeast; and 26 continues northwest towards Portland. The importance of 97 as a transportation corridor diminishes north of Madras, as most traffic continues to Portland.

South of the community of Shaniko, U.S. 97 forks off its only spur route, U.S. Highway 197 which continues heading parallel to the Deschutes River towards Tygh Valley and The Dalles. 97 takes a more easterly course, passing through the high desert region of the Columbia Plateau. Towns along the route include Grass Valley and Wasco. Just south of Biggs Junction; the highway descends from the plateau into the Columbia River Gorge. In Biggs is an interchange with Interstate 84 and U.S. Highway 30; immediately north of the interchange is the Biggs Rapids-Sam Hill Bridge over the Columbia River. The river serves as the state line between Oregon and Washington.

[edit] Highways comprising

U.S. 97 is comprised of the following highways and roads, from south to north:

Part of the The Dalles-California Highway, which is Highway 4; and
The Sherman Highway, which is Highway 42.

U.S. 97 Business in Klamath Falls, from south to north, is comprised of:

Part of the Klamath Falls-Lakeview Highway, which is Highway 20, multiplexed with Oregon Route 39;
The Esplanade Spur, multiplexed with Oregon Route 39; and
Part of the Klamath Falls-Malin Highway, which is Highway 50.

U.S. 97 Business in Bend runs from its intersection with the main highway at East 1st Street north of Bend, south on East 1st Street, Deschutes Place, and Wall Street to Newport Avenue, multiplexed with U.S. 20 Business, then continues south on a Wall Street-Bond Street couplet and east on Franklin Avenue until it rejoins the main highway at East 3rd Street.