Prineville, OR — As Juniper Canyon experiences significant population growth, Crook County leaders are exploring plans to build a new access road to the area. Currently, the community is served by a single main road, which residents and officials alike have identified as a growing concern due to increased congestion and limited evacuation routes.

John Eisler, the county’s Community Development Director, acknowledged the challenges posed by the lack of alternative access points. “There’s a lot of population growing up there and there’s just the one access road,” he said. “If the road’s blocked for whatever reason or if they need to be evacuated… it makes it really hard for emergency services to get there.”

The idea of building a new road has been under discussion for several years, with a survey conducted five years ago revealing that most residents were already concerned about the existing road conditions. As the area’s population continues to rise, those concerns have only grown, leading county leaders to seek a solution.

In response to growing public interest, Crook County is hosting an open house on Wednesday, April 16, from noon to 2 p.m. to present various road options and cost estimates. However, some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the meeting, noting that the daytime slot is inconvenient for those who work during business hours.

“I’ve gotten a lot of calls saying there’s a lot of people that work and are busy during the day,” said Commissioner Seth Crawford. “In the near future, we’re gonna have a meeting in the evening where we can get information to those people.”

To address this concern, an additional open house will take place later in the day from 6 to 8 p.m., focusing on updates to the county’s 20-year transportation system plan. The evening session is expected to draw in more residents, giving them a chance to voice their opinions and learn more about the proposed road projects.

As the county continues to evaluate its transportation infrastructure, officials remain focused on balancing the needs of the growing population with the necessity for safety and accessibility. With more people moving into Juniper Canyon, the push for better roads is likely to become a key issue for Crook County in the coming years.

Residents who are unable to attend either open house will be encouraged to submit feedback online or through other means as the county finalizes its plans for the area.