Union County fairgrounds to get river-spanning water and septic system

Union County's fairgrounds are moving from portable toilets to permanent plumbing after a November 2025 groundbreaking launched a project to carry water and septic lines over the Grande Ronde River rather than under it. The Union County Fair Board, contractor Mike Becker Construction and County Commissioner Matt Scarfo agreed on the river-spanning plan to connect the site with La Grande and modernize facilities across the grounds.

Project work is staged to limit disruption. Initial work will install pump stations and involve bridge-related tasks that county officials expect will be non-disruptive to fairground operations. The most intensive phase - the segments that must span both Interstate 84 and the river - is scheduled around May 2026 to avoid winter travel complications. That timetable means residents should anticipate visible construction activity and possible traffic adjustments along I-84 in late spring and early summer.

When finished the project will provide permanent bathrooms and plumbing throughout the fairgrounds, including bathroom and shower stalls designed for RV parking. County officials say the upgrades will reduce reliance on portable restrooms during events and expand the site’s logistical capacity if the fairgrounds are used as a regional emergency staging area. For a county that hosts agricultural shows, rodeos and serves as a potential emergency hub, indoor plumbing and on-site shower facilities represent a material improvement to operations and public health capacity.

Funding for the work comes from state lottery bond allocations. House Bill 5006 and Senate Bill 5531 together provided $2,539,405 in lottery bond funding for the project, with the full allocation scheduled for 2027. Ground was officially broken on Nov. 14, 2025, allowing initial phases to begin while the remainder of the funding is set to be released. The phased funding schedule means contractors and county officials must coordinate closely to keep the May 2026 timeline for the river and I-84 crossings.

Local impacts will be practical and immediate: fewer porta-potties and cleaner facilities during large events, new infrastructure to support RV campers, and stronger emergency response capability. There is also a transportation consideration for commuters and freight users of I-84 during the spring span work; the county and contractor have indicated they will schedule the work to limit winter weather risks and concentrate heavier closures in periods of lower expected disruption.

The takeaway? Expect visible construction through spring and better facilities by the time fair season returns. Keep an eye on county traffic notices before May, and if you use the fairgrounds for events or emergency planning, start factoring permanent plumbing into your logistics now. Our two cents? Plan around the spring work, and look at this as an investment in convenience and community readiness.