Highway 212: A Deadly Gauntlet Through Boring - Community Demands Urgent Action

In the quiet, often overlooked community of Boring, Oregon, a stretch of Highway 212 has transformed into a terrifying gauntlet, a place where the roar of traffic can instantly turn into the screech of tires, the crunch of metal, and the sickening sound of vehicles plowing into local businesses. For residents and shop owners alike, this highway isn't just a commuter route; it's a source of constant dread, a deadly corridor that has claimed lives and shattered peace of mind.

The alarm bells have been ringing for years, but the danger reached a fever pitch with a series of horrific incidents.

Just recently, a devastating crash saw a vehicle careen off the highway, striking and killing a pedestrian before slamming into the very building that houses Lard's Auto Repair. This wasn't an isolated event. Lard's, like Boring Station Pizza and other establishments lining this perilous road, has become an unwilling participant in a grim, recurring drama, bearing the scars of repeated collisions.

“It’s going to happen again,” echoes the desperate sentiment of many locals, a chilling prophecy rooted in past tragedies and the perceived inaction to prevent future ones.

Business owners like Jeff Lard, who has witnessed multiple crashes right outside his shop, live with the perpetual fear that the next speeding car could decimate his livelihood or, worse, injure or kill someone he knows. The constant threat forces residents to question the safety of simply walking down the street or operating a business in their own community.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) acknowledges the alarming trend and the community’s profound concerns.

This section of Highway 212 is indeed recognized as high-risk, a complex puzzle of intersections, business entrances, and varying speed limits that contribute to its inherent dangers. ODOT officials state they are in the early stages of a feasibility study, exploring potential long-term solutions to mitigate the risks.

However, for a community that has witnessed repeated fatalities and catastrophic property damage, the pace of change feels agonizingly slow.

While a long-term plan is crucial, the immediate need for enhanced safety measures is undeniable. Residents are not merely asking for studies; they are pleading for tangible, urgent interventions—be it improved signage, reduced speed limits, reinforced barriers, or a complete redesign of the most hazardous intersections.

The collective call from Boring is clear: stop the bloodshed. The highway that connects their town is tragically tearing it apart, and without swift, decisive action, the chilling prophecy of "it's going to happen again" threatens to become an all too real nightmare.