Business owners invited to comment on plansSEASIDE- A meeting about the Oregon Department of Transportation’s local highway program is scheduled Thursday afternoon.

The Pacific Way to Dooley Bridge project to widen and improve the safety of U.S. Highway 101 became an area of intense focus for elected Seaside officials, business owners and residents last year as more funding was directed toward the project.

Councilor Larry Haller has been meeting periodically with ODOT Area Manager Kathy McMullen. At a meeting last month he encouraged Seaside business owners along U.S. 101, who will be affected by the project to attend the session and view updated plans Thursday.

According to the Seaside Police Department, ODOT traffic counts at the north city limits indicate a 23 percent increase in the number of vehicles between 1995 and 2001.

The meeting is planned to run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Seaside High School library, 1901 N. Holladay Drive.