Transportation Engineering

The US26 Rhododendron Design Refinement Plan aims to address transportation safety, access and connectivity issues for the community of Rhododendron. The refinement plan goals include the following:

• Identify the appropriate number of highway lanes in Rhododendron.
• Identify the safest location(s) for people to cross the highway.
• Evaluate entry and exit points to adjacent destinations and businesses.
• Explore multimodal improvements such as sidewalks, bus stops, bicycle lanes and dedicated driveways.
• Evaluate locations, designs and access to bus stops.
• Work with the public and key stakeholders to ensure a range of voices are considered.

Schedule

This project kicked off in April 2022. We expect to have a final concept plan by early 2023.

Project Background

The Rhododendron community first described their desire to document existing conditions related to transportation and set future goals for this section of the highway in the Rhody Rising Vision Plan in 2018. In 2021, Clackamas County developed the Rhododendron Main Street Redevelopment Concept Plan with funding from a Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Planning grant. This plan helps the County, local residents and businesses plan for redevelopment in a way that reduces demand on the transportation system while accommodating desired workforce housing.

What’s in a refinement plan?

Refinement plans help determine the look and function of a project area and provide guidance on how to implement a project. In this case, the U.S. 26 Rhododendron Design Refinement Plan will build upon concepts developed in the Rhododendron Main Street Redevelopment Concept Plan.

Location

U.S. 26 | Mt. Hood Highway in Rhododendron

Cost and Funding

This is a planning project. Projects suggested in the plan will be designed and built based on available funding.

Additional Information

Visit ODOT website for project materials; opportunities for input; background documents and additional information.

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

¿Hablas español? Podemos proporcionar la información de esta publicación en español. Para recibir información por favor llame al 503-731-4128.

Crashes at intersections with traffic signals involving trucks are often more serious than other vehicles. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), 33 traffic signals will be improved in the Clackamas and Wilsonville industrial areas.

Improvements include upgrading traffic signal controllers, and installing radar detection, wireless interconnect and cameras that can move sideways, up and down and zoom in.

Radar detection will provide the ability to safely move truck traffic safely through an intersection by delaying the yellow light reducing unnecessary breaking and slow start-up times for truck traffic. In addition, radar detection provides accurate and on-going vehicle counts at key locations.

The functionality of these cameras allow county engineers to view traffic and signal conditions and make traffic signal changes remotely in real-time. Traffic signal views are available on ODOT’s TripCheck website. 

Traffic signals will be improved in the following freight corridors/employment areas: 

• Clackamas Industrial Area
  • OR 224 between I-205 and Lake Road
  • 82nd Dr between I-205 and Oatfield Road
  • Sunnybrook Blvd between 84th Ave and 97th Ave
• Wilsonville Industrial Area
  • 95th Ave between Boones Ferry Road and Boeckman Road
  • Boones Ferry Road between Day Road and 95th Ave
  • Elligsen Road between I-5 and Parkway Center Drive
  • Wilsonville Road between Willamette Way East and Town Center Loop East

Why

To improve safety and mobility for all users, especially freight operators.

Schedule

The county began the planning phase in 2018 and design concluded in 2021. Installation of equipment will start in Nov. 2022. The project is expected to be complete by June 2023.

Traffic impacts

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

Current activities

• Ordering materials
• Coordinating construction equipment and schedule 

Funding

• Project estimate $2.5 million 
• Project is federally funded through a Metro Surface Transportation Block Grant and a Clackamas County road fund match. 

Replace 99 traffic signal controllers at 99 intersections with upgraded equipment in unincorporated Clackamas County and areas within City of Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Gladstone, and West Linn. 

The new controllers will allow for improved timing at intersections and to use performance data tracking that will inform future changes of the traffic signal. The upgraded traffic signal controllers will connect with the region's central signal system. The central signal system allows agency engineers to monitor operations, making changes in real-time, and receive alerts and information to better inform signal operations and repairs. 

These upgrades are a regional priority supported by TransPort, a group that makes recommendations on transportation system management and operations needs in the region to the Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee. The project is supported by Metro's Transportation System Management and Operations Program. 

Why

To increase reliability of traffic signal system, improve travel times and increase safety for all modes of travel at intersections.

Schedule

Design: July 2022 – June 2023
Construction: July 2023 – June 2025

Traffic impacts

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

Current activities

• Project planning

Funding

• Project estimate $820,103
• Funding is provided from Metro’s Transportation System Management and Operations Grant, and matches from the county road fund and from local cities including Gladstone, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City, West Linn and Wilsonville. 

Project description

Many portions of Monroe Street from Linwood Ave to Fuller Road have no sidewalks or bike lanes. This project will fill in those gaps and construct other improvements. 

• On Monroe Street between Linwood Ave and Fuller Road  the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks to fill in gaps 
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic). (The path is proposed to be on the south side on the west section of Monroe and on the north side on the east section.)
  • Upgrade curb ramps at intersections to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
  • Add landscaping strips 
  • Repair the road base, repave the road and improve the stormwater system 
  • Under consideration:  A mini-roundabout at the intersection with 72nd Ave.
• On 72nd Ave between Monroe St and Thompson Road the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks on the east side of street, 
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic) on the west side of street 
  • Add a landscaping strip on the west side of street..
• On Thompson Road between 72nd Ave and Lot Whitcomb Elementary School the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks on the north side of street 
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic) on the south side of the street 
  • Upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards at intersections 

Why

The improvements are designed to:

• increase safety and ease of access for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians 
• allow safer and easier access to schools and bus stops 
• support healthy ways to commute to school and work 
• support the community by making it easier and safer for residents to walk, bike, and enjoy their neighborhood 
• reduce localized flooding and promote redevelopment

Schedule

• Design: Feb. 2021 – Dec. 2023
• Right of way: June 2023 – June 2024
• Construction: Winter 2024/2025 – Spring 2026

Traffic impact

• Road closures may be needed during construction. Project is expected to take up to 15 months to complete.
• To protect the stream environment, we are only allowed to work on site during what is called the “in-water work window” from June 1 – Sept.30.  

Things to be aware of

These improvements will complement other projects in the area including:

• Linwood Ave (Clackamas County) from Monroe St to Johnson Creek Blvd. Construction will start in late 2022 to create a bike/pedestrian connection to the Springwater Corridor. 
• Linwood Ave (Milwaukie) from Harmony Road to Monroe St connects the west end of the Monroe St project to the Linwood Avenue Improvement Project at the Linwood/Monroe Intersection. 
• Monroe St Neighborhood Greenway (Milwaukie) from 21st Ave to Linwood Ave. 

Current activities

• Project design
• Right of way discussions

Funding

• Estimated cost: $10.3 million
• Funding source: Clackamas County Development Agency through the North Clackamas Revitalization Area (NCRA) urban renewal district 

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Construct sidewalks and a multi-use gravel pathway between SW Prosperity Park Road and Rolling Hills Church, and install a pedestrian bridge at Saum Creek in the Tualatin area. As part of the project, elements will be considered including concrete curbs and gutters, ADA curb ramps, and a flashing push button pedestrian crossing.

Why

To improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in the Tualatin area.

Schedule

• Design: Fall 2024 to Spring 2025
• Right of way: Spring 2025 to Winter 2025
• Construction: Spring 2025 to Spring 2026

Traffic impact

• Intermittent single lane closures may be needed with traffic delays up to 20 minutes.

Current activities

• Evaluating the scope of the project for feasibility. 

Funding

• Project estimate $2.1 million
• Funding is provided from the County Road Fund, Transportation System Development Charges and the Strategic Investment Fund (Community Road Fund).

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Construct sidewalks on both sides of SE Webster Road from Bilquist Elementary School to the existing Tri-Met transit stop at SE Roots Road, widen bike lanes to 8-feet and add a buffer area between bikes and vehicles. Crosswalk upgrades include adding lighting, a center pedestrian refuge and constructing curb ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to provide access for people with disabilities.

Why

To provide a safe route for bicyclists and pedestrians along Webster Road connecting to Bilquist Elementary School and all community members.

Schedule

• Design: present to Dec. 2024
• Right of way: May 2023 to Winter 2024
• Construction: Spring 2025 to Winter 2025

Traffic impacts

Expect single lane closures during construction with delays up to 20 minutes between Clackamas Road and Roots Road.

Current activities

• Roadway improvement design
• Community feedback at virtual open house: English | Español

Funding

• Project estimate is $3.3 million
• Funding is provided from Safe Routes to School grant, County Road Funds and Transportation System Development Charges.

Open house resources

English

• Bilquist Sidewalk Frontage With Landscaping and Three Travel Lanes
• Bilquist Sidewalk Frontage Without Landscaping and Three Travel Lanes
• Which Design Do You Prefer?
• Full project map

Espanol

• Bilquist Fachada de Acera con Paisajismo y con Tres Carriles de Circulación de Automóviles
• Bilquist Fachada de Acera sin Paisajismo y con Tres Carriles de Circulación de Automóviles
• ¿Qué Diseño Prefieres?
• Proyecto mapa completo

Study at least three potential intersection options at 122nd Ave and Mather Road including no change, or constructing a roundabout or traffic signal. 

Why

To determine the preferred option for future traffic operations and safety at the intersection to meet future traffic demands and improve safety for all roadway users.

Schedule

The feasibility study was completed in June 2022.

Funding

• Project estimate $40,000.
• Funding is provided from County Road Fund and HB2017 state gas tax funding. 

Traffic engineers evaluated operations for vehicles, pedestrian and bicycles and identified low-cost improvements to reduce the number and severity of crashes at the intersection. The intersection will converted to an all-way stop. The intersection at Bell and Alberta will also be reconfigured.

Why

To reduce crashes and improve safety for all roadway users.

Schedule

• Design: July 2021 - Jan. 2023
• Construction: March 2023 - May 2023

Funding

• Project estimate $27,000.
• Funding is provided from county road funds and HB2017 state gas taxes. 

Update and enhance curve warning signs on 222nd Dr. and Wiese Road and add overhead flashing beacon at intersection of 222nd Dr. and Tillstrom Road.

Intersection safety upgrades were made at 13 intersections using oversized advance warning signs on both sides of street, stop signs on both sides of street, with added reflective sheeting on sign posts, enhanced pavement markings, raised pavement markers and delineators.

These safety improvements were recommended in a Road Safety Audit conducted in 2017 and are expected to provide:

• Updated curve warning signs: 16% crash reduction for road departure crashes 
• Basic intersection upgrades: 20–30% crash reduction for all crash types 

The traffic safety team  assessed and determined proper curve advisory speeds to post along each road segment where curve warning signs were installed.

Intersection upgrades on 222nd Dr.: 

• Hoffmeister Road 
• Bohna Park Road 
• Tillstrom Road 
• Borges Road

Intersection upgrades on 242nd Ave.: 

• Hoffmeister Road 
• Bohna Park Road 
• Tillstrom Road
• Sunshine Valley Road

Intersection upgrades on Tillstrom Road:

• Bohna Park Road
• Borges Road
• 190th Dr.
• Foster Road

Intersection upgrades at Wiese Road and Bohna Park Road. 

For more information on curve warning signs, read the ODOT Fact Sheet on Updated Curve Warning Signs. For more information on intersection upgrades, read the ODOT Fact Sheet on Intersection Upgrades. 

Why

To provide a safer roadway for all users and to reduce crashes.

Funding

• Project estimate $500,000.
• Funding is provided from Damascus Road Funds. 

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