A Street in Rainier enters final phase of construction - Major traffic disruptions probable

The A St. project in downtown Rainier, Oregon will enter its final phase beginning Monday, August 10 with paving the length of the street that runs the length of the historic downtown.

The service days (Monday and Wednesday) of the HOPE of Rainier food bank are cancelled this week only. Clients needing services are directed to the Turning Point food bank, located at 220 East Columbia River Highway in Clatskanie. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm with Food Box hours from 11 am to 2:30 pm.

• A St. eastbound will be closed from E 2nd Street to the east limits of the project for base lift paving operations.
• East 3rd Street will be closed between A St. and Hwy 30. Traffic will not be able to access downtown via this railroad crossing.

• A St. westbound will be closed starting at the eastern limits of the project and slowly moving westward towards the post office through the length of the day.
• Expect potential access delays to the post office access late in the day.
• East 3rd street railroad crossing will likely be open for a few hours the afternoon.
• West 2nd and 1st street railroad crossings will be open during the morning hours but will likely be closed during the afternoon.

• A St. eastbound will be closed from the western limits of the project and slowly moving eastward towards the east end of the project as the day progresses.
• West 2nd and 1st street railroad crossings will be closed during the morning hours and open during the later hours.
• East 3rd street railroad crossing will be open during the morning hours and closed during the afternoon hours.
• East 2nd, East 3rd, and East 4th Streets will all be closed periodically throughout the day for asphalt paving.
• Hwy 30 will have intermittent flaggers and delays.

Rainier, Oregon Mayor Jerry Cole has declared a state of emergency Mar 16, 2020

Rainier, Oregon Mayor Jerry Cole has declared a state of emergency for the city of 2,000 residents that sits along the Columbia River in Columbia County.

The declaration will not only streamline assistance to residents and businesses to weather the unprecedented viral outbreak, but allow the city government to expedite actions needed to protect individuals and businesses in the city as well as use special procedures to expedite the purchase of goods and services needed by city departments to maintain safety, health, and wellbeing in Rainier.

"I want to assure everyone that Rainier is as safe, secure and protected as possible during this challenging time of COVID-19. This infection is being more fully understood every day, and more specific preventative measures are being formulated daily. Until we understand the full picture of the disease and the best responses to it, we must follow the broad preventative measures as directed by the President, Congress, our Governor, Columbia County, and State health officials."

"While these declarations are often used by cities when there is major disruption from a highly visible natural disaster such as a flood or earthquake, we are now threatened by in invisible and sometimes lethal threat," said Mayor Cole. "We have little experience with a contagion and what damages it may bring to our community and how long the measures needed to attempt to stem its rapid growth may take. This declaration, along with those of the President and the Governor, are part of a coordinated effort that will aid in our ability to tap into outside resources and ease the process to receive any possible Federal reimbursement for costs incurred."

"I ask that you all help us by following the guidelines, rules and recommendations that the City, County, State and Federal governments issue - these are the best directives to keep you safe and to limit the impacts of COVID-19," said Cole. "There is information and links to the Small Business Administration and the CDC on the city website, cityofrainier.com that are strong resources available 24 hours a day."

The declaration took effect at midnight on March 16, 2020 and will stay in effect through April 30, 2020.