Transportation Engineering

Reducing wait times and improving safety 

Reliable and accurate vehicle detection is required for proper traffic signal operation, to minimize vehicle delay and improve safety. We will replace traffic signal video detection systems at six intersections due to failing equipment and equipment no longer supported by the vendor. 
Video detection will be upgraded at the following intersections: 

• 172nd Ave and Rock Creek
• Johnson Creek Blvd and Bell Ave
• Otty Road and Fuller Road
• Monterey Ave and 85th Ave
• Stafford Road and Ek Road
• Park Ave and 27th Ave

Why

To maintain reliable signal operations, reduce wait times and provide safer roadways for all users.

Schedule

• Design: Jan. 2023 to Summer 2024
• Construction: Summer 2024 to Spring 2025

Traffic impact

Expect shoulder and lane closures with minimal delays during construction.

Current activities

Under design

Funding

• Project estimate $585,000.
• Funding is provided from county road funds.

Many crashes occur on a windy segment of Canby-Marquam Hwy near Kraxberger Road (approximately between MP 5.05 and MP 5.45) due to drivers leaving the roadway, especially in wet conditions. Safety improvements include repaving to improve pavement friction, two radar-activated curve warning signs with lights, and enhanced safety signing.

Why

To increase safety and reduce lane departure crashes.

Schedule

• Design: Jan 2024 - Dec. 2024
• Construction: winter 2025/2026 - summer 2025

Traffic impact

• Intermittent lane closures will be needed during construction.

Current activities

• Project design

Funding

• Project estimate $470,000
• Funding is provided from HB 2017 state gas tax safety funds

Two culverts carrying Conway Creek under Aschoff Road in the Rhododendron area are damaged, undersized, and do not easily allow fish and wildlife to pass upstream and will be replaced with a modular bridge. 

Why

Why
To minimize potential impacts to the roadway due to flooding and to provide access for fish and other aquatic organisms to reach upstream cold-water habitat.  

Schedule

• Design: Jan. 2024 – Spring 2025
• Right of way: Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
• Construction: Summer 2025 – Winter 2026

Traffic impact

• A road closure may be needed during construction. Project is expected to take up to 2 months to construct
• Site work planned to take place during the prescribed in-water work period of July 15 to August 31

Current activities

• Project in planning phase
• Design phase to start in January 2024 pending grant funding approval

Funding

• Project estimate $1.9 million. 
• Funding is provided from county road funds. We are submitting a grant application for federal funds from the Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage grant program. 

Studying six intersections for operations and safety

Each of the project intersections can have unique safety, operational or geometric challenges without easy solutions. We will investigate how six intersections operate, and look at safety conditions and geometry and develop potential ways to address the specific challenges for future implementation.

The following intersections will be studied:

• Airport Road and Miley Road
• Barlow Road and Arndt Road
• Beavercreek Road and Leland Road/Kamrath Road
• Bluff Road and 327th Ave
• Redland Road and Holly Ln
• Molalla Ave and Vaughan Road

Why

To provide a safer roadway for all users by increasing visibility of intersection.

Schedule

This is a planning study only. Conducting the analysis allows us to create potential future project scopes and budgets and prioritize funding decisions, but design and construction are not part of this intersection feasibility study.

• Planning: Jan. 2023 to Sept. 2023
• Design: March 2023 to June 2024 

Traffic impacts

No traffic impacts will be needed during planning.

Current activities

• Project planning.

Funding

• Project estimate $120,000.
• Funding is provided from HB2017 state gas taxes.

Improving safety by reducing the speed of travelers

Four radar speed feedback signs will be installed on Beavercreek Road and Barlow Road near the Oregon City and Canby areas. Radar signs will be installed for northbound and southbound traffic on both roads. Locations will be determined during the engineering design phase.

Why

To provide a safer roadway for all users by reducing vehicle speeds.

Schedule

• Design: Nov. 2023 to Summer 2024
• Construction: Fall 2024 to Summer 2025

Traffic impact

Expect shoulder and lane closures with delays up to 20 minutes during construction.

Current activities

Project planning. 

Funding

• Project estimate $375,000.
• Funding is provided from Community Road Funds.

Rebuild the existing traffic signal add lighting to intersection, improve pedestrian access, and upgrade signal with special radar detection system to detect vehicles as they approach the intersection. The detection prevents the signal from changing to another direction prematurely and placing drivers in a dilemma of deciding to go through the intersection or not, causing longer wait times.

Why

To improve safety and reduce crashes at the intersection.

Schedule

• Design: Fall 2023-Spring 2024
• Right of way: Winter 2024 to Summer 2024
• Construction: Summer 2024 - Spring 2025

Funding

• Project estimate $2 million
• Funding is provided from the Community Road Fund

Reducing rear-end crashes by improving visibility of intersection

Most crashes at this intersection are rear-end collisions. Includes installing a radar detection system to detect vehicles as they approach the Knights Bridge Road/Arndt Road intersection. The detection prevents the signal from changing to another direction prematurely and placing drivers in a dilemma of deciding to go through the intersection or not, causing longer wait times. Also adding signal ahead signs and pavement markings to alert drivers of changing conditions. 

Why

To provide a safer roadway for all users by increasing visibility of intersection.

Schedule

• Design: Dec. 2023 to June 2024
• Construction: Sept. 2024 to June 2025

Traffic impact

Traffic impacts will be minor during installation.

Current activities

Project planning. 

Funding

• Project estimate $325,000.
• Funding is provided from HB2017 state gas taxes.

The 12’ metal culvert carrying Henry Creek under Arlie Mitchell Road in the Rhododendron area does not easily allow fish and wildlife to pass upstream and will be replaced with a modular bridge. This project is the result of collaboration among several groups, including Clackamas County, ODFW, the City of Portland, the Forest Service and the Freshwater Trust. The Freshwater Trust will lead the project. Clackamas County will provide survey, right-of-way acquisitions, plan review, public outreach, and construction inspection services. 

Why

To minimize potential impacts to the roadway due to flooding and to provide access for fish and other aquatic organisms to reach upstream cold-water habitat.  

Schedule

• Design: April 2023 – June 2023
• Right of way: Feb. 2024 – June 2024
• Construction: July 2024 – November 2024

Traffic impact

• A road closure will be needed during construction for up to 2 months; tentatively planned from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 19- Nov. 15, 2024.
• Detours: Access to properties south of the culvert crossing on Arlie Mitchell Road, will use Arlie Mitchell Road. Access to properties north of the culvert crossing, and to Henry Creek Road, will use Henry Creek Road.  
• Project is expected to take up to 5 months to construct.
• Site work planned to take place during the prescribed in-water work period of July 15 to August 31

Current activities

• Preparing for construction

Funding

• Project estimate $1.4 million. 
• Funding is provided from grants including: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Portland, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Forest Service, Freshwater Trust, and a contribution from county road funds. 

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