Welcome to the Washington County Land Use & Transportation 3rd Quarter 2025 Update - a newsletter for all things LUT!

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Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have long been allowed in the Washington County urban areas, but not in the rural areas.

Recently, changes in state law have made it possible for local jurisdictions to allow ADUs in some rural residential areas not dedicated to farming and forestry under certain conditions.

Our issue paper on rural ADUs examines the opportunities and implications of allowing rural ADUs. Public comment on the issue paper generally affirmed community interest for allowing rural ADUs. 

This issue paper will be the basis for an ordinance that our Community Planning staff are expecting to file in October.

Construction season is coming to a close, but we’re always working hard to keep Washington County roads maintained. If you see something in the public right-of-way that needs repair, request a road service! 

We work on planned road maintenance activities year-round, including vegetation trimming, pavement repair, drainage maintenance and gravel road maintenance. Road service requests from the public help us identify unplanned work needed to keep travelers safe and the right-of-way accessible. To request road service:


• Submit a Road Service Request 
• Email lutops@washingtoncountyor.gov
• Call 503-846-7623

Transportation News

The 25th Avenue and Cornell Road Intersection Project is almost finished.

Construction of new dedicated turn lanes, bicycle lanes and updated streetlights and traffic signals started in December 2024. Some minor corrective work – such as refining the “ride quality” of the pavement and concrete replacements – will continue into October. 

The intersection improvements make it easier and safer for all travelers. The project was funded by the Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program. 

Walker Road: Phase 2 ends, Phase 4 begins 

We are putting the final touches on the Walker Road Phase 2 Schendel Avenue to Butner Road construction project while starting design work on Walker Road Phase 4 – Park Way to 123rd Avenue. 

More than 100 people attended the Phase 4 open house on Sept. 16 to provide input on the project design. We are responding to written questions and reviewing comments as we continue with the design phase through spring 2027. 

Do you have concerns about traffic on your residential streets? Neighborhood streets in unincorporated Washington County (outside of city limits) may be eligible for our Neighborhood Streets Program’s (NSP) traffic-calming solutions. 

If you live on a road or street that is classified as a local, neighborhood route, or residential collector in unincorporated Washington County, you can request a neighborhood safety campaign.  

In the first phase of these campaigns, our NSP uses speed feedback trailers and yard signs to try to change driver behavior. If this isn’t successful and the road is eligible, the program moves to Phase 2, which may include measures such as traffic signs, pavement markings or speed cushions.  

Final culvert replacement projects near completion 

Crews are finishing work on five culverts scheduled for replacement this summer. 

The five culverts were deteriorating. The new culverts are properly sized for stream flows and meet standards for fish passage.

Culverts include: 

• The Groveland Road culvert, between West Union Road and Groveland Drive, is expected to be completed Oct. 6. 
• The Old Highway 47 culvert over O’Neil Creek was completed Sept. 11. 
• An Old Pumpkin Ridge Road culvert, replaced in coordination with the Old Pumpkin Ridge Road Reconstruction, was completed Aug. 15.
• Two culverts over White Creek – one on Thornburg Road, south of Gales Creek Road, and the other on Gales Creek Road, are expected to be completed Oct. 7.

Upcoming Events

Washington County

Department of Land Use & Transportation

www.washingtoncountyor.gov/lut