Welcome to the Washington County Land Use & Transportation 3rd Quarter 2024 Update - a newsletter for all things LUT!

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A public hearing on a draft ordinance that could reform parking requirements will be held Oct. 15 before the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Proposed parking changes included in draft Ordinance No. 903 will impact development in urban unincorporated Washington County. Proposed reforms include:

• Removing minimum parking requirements
• Expanding maximum parking requirements
• Adding landscape requirements for parking lots

These reforms must be in place by the end of 2024 to comply with state rules intended to reduce climate pollution related to transportation.  

Construction on the Timber Road landslide repair began earlier this month. Our contractor removed the road and is in the process of excavating the hillside before a stronger slope is built in its place. Construction is expected to finish by the end of the year. 

Timber Road was closed in March 2023 when we detected a landslide was increasing in activity. Since then, our project team has been hard at work studying the landslide, designing a repair and preparing for construction. 

When traveling in Washington County, you use roadways that are the responsibility of the state, cities, private property owners or Washington County. 

You may not be able to tell the difference, but when it comes to maintenance, understanding which jurisdiction has authority over a roadway is very important. 

Knowing the different types of roadways can help you decide who to contact if you want to request a road service or have questions about road work. 

Nearly 2,000 people spoke with us about updates to our Transit Development Plan (TDP) at festivals, farmers markets and other community events this summer.

The TDP guides future transit investments, creating a vision for transit and transit access. The feedback we heard during events and in our online open house survey helps us decide which transit priorities to fund in FY 2026-27. 

The most-requested transit upgrades:

• Pedestrian improvements near transit stops
• New transit routes
• More frequent service

Transportation News

The multi-phase Walker Road improvements took a leap forward with the approval of funding for two phases which will complete our capacity and safety improvements from 185th Avenue and OR 217.

The recently funded projects are Phase 4, Parkway to 123rd Avenue, and Phase 5, 123rd Avenue to OR 217. Design begins on Phase 4 shortly. Phase 5 design will begin in the coming year.

Construction on Walker Road Phase 1 began in June 2016. Construction has been on-going in the Walker Road area ever since. Each phase improves safety for all travelers on Washington County's portion of Walker Road. Additional work will be needed west of 185th Avenue to connect these improvements to the City of Hillsboro's section of Walker Road; and to connect to OR 217.

Replacement of South Road bridge in progress

The bridge on South Road over the upper Tualatin River has been removed for replacement.

Excavation for the new bridge is nearly complete; pile installation is expected to start Oct. 7. Once the piles are in place, the contractor will form and pour the concrete of the bridge ends and walls. Bridge girders are expected to be delivered in late November.

The project is paid for through an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant; ODOT is also managing the project.

South Road will remain closed at the bridge over the Upper Tualatin River, between Cherry Grove Drive and Mt. Richmond Road, through Dec. 9. Travelers should continue to use Patton Valley Road detour.

Construction is underway on Springville Road, between Joss Avenue and PCC Rock Creek. The street remains closed between PCC Rock Creek and the Courtyard Apartments for a culvert replacement.

Drivers are asked to use the signed detour route on Kaiser Road, Bethany Boulevard, West Union Road and 185th Avenue.

Please slow down and drive safely if you must travel in neighborhoods. Watch for children, cyclists and people trying to leave their driveways, especially on curved roads.

UPDATE: Thompson Road / Kenny Terrace Realignment

Work to realign Thompson Road with Kenny Terrace continues.

The first road closure on Thompson Road ended before school started. However, expect intermittent daytime lane closures during school hours.

A second road closure is needed to connect Thompson to Kenny Terrace at Saltzman Road. Traffic will shift to the new alignment at that time. The final closure dates have not yet been scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Washington County Department of

Land Use & Transportation

www.washingtoncountyor.gov/lut