Transportation Engineering

Stormwater management provides water quality protection for the community by implementing programs to reduce pollution in our rivers, streams and wetlands caused by urban stormwater runoff.

Stormwater runoff is the most significant source of water pollution in our state. It washes pollutants into storm drains and drainage ditches, carrying silt, oil, chemicals, trash and pesticides to the nearest creek, stream or wetland. The polluted runoff can harm fish, aquatic life, and threaten our drinking water.

Properly managing stormwater is critical to protect our rivers, streams, creeks and wetlands. The Stormwater Management Plan outlines how our teams follow procedures for runoff at construction sites, spill containment, erosion prevention, site inspections, reporting, etc. 

Report dumping and spills

Report sewer or stormwater problems or concerns, such as oil leaks, a sewer spill or illegal dumping into a storm drain. 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit

The 2022 MS4 Permit Shared Stormwater Management Program Document describes the stormwater management program of four of 12 co-permittees of the municipal separate storm sewer system permit (MS4 Permit). Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, the City of Happy Valley, and the City of Rivergrove co-report on their educational and operational efforts. 

The shared stormwater management plan document acts as a resource for the public to learn about the participant's efforts to reduce pollutants discharged by the storm sewer systems, an informative guide for staff and a compliance measure for the MS4 Permit.

• Annual report 2021-2022
• Annual Report 2023-2024

MS4 Permit Stormwater Management Plan

Clackamas County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)  Permit requires an annual report be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the same year to prove the objectives stated in the stormwater management plan have been accomplished. 

• 2010 CCDTD MS4 NPDES Permit Stormwater Management Plan 
• 2021 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Phase 1 Permit

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Stormwater runoff is a contributor to water pollution, particularly in developing and urbanized areas. To meet state water quality standards, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) calculates the total maximum daily load (TMDLs) to measure pollutants in water bodies associated with stormwater sources, such as pathogens, nutrients, sediments, and metals. 

This is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutants sources.

Watershed Jurisdictional Areas Major Watersheds of Clackamas County

Area implementation plans to meet water quality standards 

• Willamette River
  • Implementation Plan
  • Report
• Tualatin River
  • Implementation Plan
  • Report
• Sandy River
  • Implementation Plan

Training

Construction site erosion control and pollution prevention training opportunities are periodically updated. Please check back for future training information.

Provide feedback

Each fall, we offer the opportunity for our community to comment on the contents of the MS4 Permit Annual Report before submitting to the state Department of Environmental Quality. Comments received by the deadline will be reviewed by staff and addressed as appropriate.   

You can request a paper copy by contacting Devin Patterson at 503-742-4666 or devinpat@clackamas.us.  

During the comment period, you can send in your comments by: 

• Emailing devinpat@clackamas.us
• Mailing to the attention of Devin Patterson, Bridge Scour/Fish-Passage Coordinator, Clackamas County DTD-Engineering Division, Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045
• Faxing 503-742-4659  
   

Resources

• Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System construction site discharge permits (1200-C and 1200-CN): All development activity within Clackamas County disturbing at least one acre is required to secure a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 1200-C Construction Stormwater (Erosion Control) Permit or a 1200-CN Permit. Typically the 1200-C permit is issued for large subdivisions, multi-family, commercial and industrial projects to regulate stormwater runoff to surface waters from construction activities. 
• Protecting the Clackamas River
• Clean Water Tips for Home
• Clean Water Tips for Businesses and Industry
   

Installed two speed feedback signs on Wilsonville Road in advance of the intersection with Edminston Road. Signs provide a curve advisory speed and display vehicle’s actual speed. Directly at the intersection, installed an intersection control warning system to notify drivers on southbound Wilsonville Road of possible traffic ahead at the intersection by detecting vehicles on Edminston Road.

Why

To improve safety and reduce crashes.

Schedule

• Design: January 2019 – June 2020
• Construction: June 2020 - July 2021

Funding

• Project estimate $163,000 
• Funding is provided from the Community Road Fund

The curb ramp at the southern corner of the Naef Road and Harold Ave. intersection is in poor condition and will be replaced. 

Why

To provide a safe and accessible pedestrian route. 

Schedule

• Design: Oct. 2022 to Feb. 2024 
• Construction: March 2024 to May 2024

Funding

• Project estimate $88,000
• Funding is provided from county road funds 

The intersection at Airport Road and Miley Road is a high traffic intersection located in the Wilsonville area. Northbound drivers turning left experience significant wait times as east- and west-bound drivers have the right of way.

To reduce wait times and to improve safety, we will convert the intersection to an all-way stop, remove the right-turn lane, improve drainage, remove a portion of pavement, and add signs and pavement markings.

The county will coordinate with the City of Wilsonville and ODOT.

Why

To increase intersection capacity and to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.

Schedule

• Design: summer June 2024 through June 2025
• Construction: 2026

Traffic impact

• Minor and intermittent lane closures will be needed during construction.

Current activities

• Project design

Funding

• Project estimate $415,000
• Funding is provided from the county road fund and state gas taxes

The culvert under SE 427th Ave that carries Tickle Creek was severely damaged. The damage was caused by a washout under the roadway next to the culvert and was replaced with a larger, fish-friendly culvert. 

Why

To ensure the integrity of the road and to provide safe passage for fish and other wildlife.  

Current activities

• Planting and seeding, including establishment of plants, will continue through 2025.
   

Funding

• Project estimate $810,000
• Funding is provided from county road funds 

Installed a 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. Added reflective material to traffic signal heads to increase visibility. 

Why

To improve safety and reduce crashes.

Schedule

• Design: June 2020 - July 2021
• Construction: July 2021- June 2022

Funding

• Project estimate $84,000 
• Funding is provided from the Community Road Fund

Oatfield Road Fiber Connection

Expanded broadband fiber optic communication to three traffic signals along Oatfield Road at Oak Grove Road, Thiessen Road and Jennings Ave intersections to allow traffic engineering and signal maintenance staff to remotely monitor, troubleshoot, and retrieve performance measures from the signal system.

Why

To improve safety and regional traffic signal connection.

Schedule

• Design: July 2019 – March 2020
• Construction: March 2020 - Dec 2020

Funding

• Project estimate $130,000 
• Funding is provided from county road funds

Expanded broadband fiber optic communication to three traffic signals along SE 82nd Dr between Hwy 224 to SE Jennifer St. to allow traffic engineering and signal maintenance staff to remotely monitor, troubleshoot, and retrieve performance measures from the signal system.

Why

To improve regional traffic signal connection.

Schedule

• Design: June 2021 - Dec 2021
• Construction: Jan 2021 - Dec 2022

Funding

• Project estimate $60,000 
• Funding is provided from the county road fund

Installed a special radar detection system to detect vehicles as they approach the Sunnybrook Blvd/Sunnyside 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. Added reflective material to traffic signal heads to increase visibility. Connected signals to regional network through fiber communication facilities along all of Sunnybrook Blvd.

Why

To improve safety and regional traffic signal connection.

Funding

• Project estimate $78,000 
• Funding is provided from the Community Road Fund

The Bull Run River Bridge crosses the Bull Run River north of the Sandy area. The portion of the bridge above the foundation (superstructure) is more than 126 years old and comes from a span of Portland’s Burnside Bridge that was constructed in 1894. The Bull Run Bridge section was moved to its current location in 1926.

The bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and requires increasingly expensive repair and maintenance projects in order to keep it open. In 2021 truck weight restrictions were placed on the bridge and the bridge’s roadway was reduced to one lane in order to preserve its remaining life. This is a critical access point for the City of Portland’s water system that supplies water to much of the Portland area.

It is anticipated a new Bull Run River Bridge would be constructed next to the current structure. 

Why

To remove weight restrictions for trucks and to ensure connections exist for emergency response, access for timber industry, Portland Water Bureau and residents of an isolated rural area.

Schedule

We anticipate the schedule as follows:

• Design: Sept. 2024 - Dec. 2026
• Right of way: May 2025 - May 2026
• Construction: Spring 2027 - Fall 2028 (dependent on future grant funding)

Background

The Bull Run Bridge was originally constructed in 1894 as part of the Burnside Bridge over the Willamette River in downtown Portland, and was moved to its current location in 1926. The Bull Run Bridge crosses the Bull Run River and is a key access point to the Bull Run Reservoirs, which provide clean water to over 1 million customers in the Portland area. 

Further deterioration of the structure could require the bridge to be closed to all traffic in the next five to 10 years if it is not replaced. A closure would require residents, businesses and emergency services to use a lengthy detour route to reach homes and businesses in the Bull Run River watershed. 

A recent inspection of the bridge by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) identified some components in worse condition compared to the prior inspection. ODOT developed a new load rating for the bridge based on the latest conditions of the bridge, which resulted in new weight restrictions.

Over time, the natural processes of deterioration and constant use take their toll on bridges and can leave a bridge with less capacity than when it was originally designed and built. Also, the size and weight of freight and emergency vehicles has been increasing steadily. Because most of Oregon’s bridges were not designed for current vehicle sizes and weights, many of our aging bridges cannot safely carry all modern loads. These bridges must be posted to limit traffic to the loads they can safely carry without impairing structure or safety. 

Navigating the weight restrictions for commercial freight businesses  

While this closure to vehicles over 12 tons is resulting in much longer travel times, it is necessary to maintain critical access for community members’ daily and recreational use, and for emergency services. Therefore, we can no longer provide special use permits for heavy loads due to the declining condition of the bridge.

Trucks and other vehicles that weigh over 12 tons must travel on Gordon Creek Road in Multnomah County, which also has two bridges with weight restrictions for certain types of vehicles. Multnomah County bridge information.

Read frequently asked questions

Funding secured for design and right of way costs

On May 10, 2023 our board approved staff to formally request the reallocation of previously awarded design funding from Dodge Park Bridge to Bull Run Bridge from the Local Agency Bridge Selection Committee, a statewide committee under ODOT’s purview. This group determines how federal funding in the state will be spent for local bridges based on performance scores.

To date, the county has invested funds to do 30% design analysis (a type, size, location and cost study) which has shaved off about a year of design work. These new funds will allow us to fund the entire design and acquire right of way needed for the eventual construction of the new bridge. Although the county has applied to seven grants between 2018-2022 and none were awarded, this commitment for the full design has put us in a better position to acquire funding for construction through future grant dollars.

Watch the board discussion.
 

Funding

• Total project estimate: $20 million 
• $2 million funded for design and right of way work from Oregon Local Agency Bridge Selection Committee (LABSC), plus a local match for $205,700 from the Road Fund. 
• Additional funding for construction has not yet been secured, other than the future county funding match. The county will continue to apply for grant funds. There is also a chance that, in the 2027-30 funding cycle, the LABSC will provide funds to construct the bridge, although there’s only a total of $16 million per year for similar bridges statewide in this fund. The county is also talking with the City of Portland and Portland Water Bureau about the need to replace the Bull Run Bridge, and they have expressed interest in supporting the project.