Transportation Engineering

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.

Replace the damaged signal pole at the southwest corner of 82nd Dr and Jennifer St. Includes replacing all signal poles, adding mast arms and signal heads, repaving the intersection, reconstructing all curb ramps to meet ADA requirements and adding pedestrian push buttons.

Why

To maintain regional traffic signal connection and to improve pedestrian access.

Schedule

• Design: Sept 2023-winter 2024
• Construction: spring 2025- winter 2025

Current activities

• Selected DKS as the consultant for project design

Traffic impact

• Minor and intermittent lane closures for traffic signal upgrades will be needed.

Funding

• Project estimate $1.4 million
• Funding is provided from the county road funds

Happy Valley has been developing at a rapid pace. Developing the infrastructure along 172nd Ave is a high priority for the city and county. 172nd Ave will be widened to four travel lanes with a center planter median and turn lanes between Misty Dr to Scouters Mountain Road with added bike lanes, landscape strips and sidewalks.

Improvements at major intersections will include adding a roundabout at Troge Road and expanding the single-lane roundabout at Scouters Mountain Road to a multi-lane roundabout. Improvements will also include right of way acquisitions, moving existing utilities underground, replacing culverts at Troge Road, enhancing pedestrian crossings and adding street lighting.

The City of Happy Valley will be assisting in project coordination and review. The county will manage and lead the design and construction activities.

Why

To reduce congestion, improve safety, provide safe routes and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians and to keep pace with future growth of Happy Valley.

Attend open house #2 

Learn more about the project and ask questions or share concerns in-person at the open house between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 20 in the community room at Happy Valley City Hall. 

Schedule

• Design: March 2023 to Winter 2026
• Right of way: Summer 2024 to Winter 2026
  All right of way acquisitions are conducted as required by state and federal law. Read right of way brochure: English | español | 简体中文
• Construction: Spring 2027 to Winter 2028

Current activities

• Refining proposed improvement design and environmental permitting.
• Preparing for the Feb. in-person and virtual open houses.

Traffic impact

• Expect delays on roadway for vehicles and bicycles during construction.

Funding

• Project estimate is $30 million
• Funding is provided from City of Happy Valley Funds and joint city/county Transportation System Development Charge Joint District Funds.

Open house resources

• Schedule
• County standard for urban road design
• General area map
• Full map: 172nd Ave and frontage road with traffic signal (option 1, alignment A)
• Full map: 172nd Ave and frontage road with traffic signal (option 1, alignment B)
• Full map: 172nd Ave and frontage road with roundabout (option 2)
• Intersection detail: Troge Road at 172nd Ave with traffic signal (option 1, alignment A)
• Intersection detail: Troge Road at 172nd Ave with traffic signal (option 1, alignment B)
• Intersection detail: Troge Road at 172nd Ave with roundabout (option 2)

Other Resources

• Presentation to Sunnyside/W Mt Scott CPO, March 6, 2023

Factsheet

English: 172nd Ave Widening and Infrastructure Improvements

español: Ampliación de 172nd Ave y Mejoras en Infraestructura

русский: Расширение и улучшение инфраструктуры вдоль улицы 172nd Ave

简体中文: 172nd Ave 拓宽及基础设施改善工程

tiếng Việt: Cải thiện Cơ sở Hạ tầng và Mở rộng Đường 172nd Ave

한국어: 172nd Ave 확장 및 인프라 개선

Tagalog: Pagpapalawak at Pagpapaganda sa Impraestruktura ng 172nd Ave

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