April 22, 2022 | View as webpage

Grahams Ferry Road over-height warning system

A new over-height detection system is being installed on Grahams Ferry Road between Clutter Road and the County line.

A rail bridge crosses over Grahams Ferry Road with only about 12 feet of clearance. TriMet’s WES commuter rail uses the rail line during rush hour.

TriMet installed the existing over-height warning system in 2009. Despite the warning system, at least 25 vehicles have hit the bridge since 2015. These crashes result in the closure of both the rail line and the road until the bridge is inspected and debris cleared.

The new system will better detect over-height vehicles with a laser-based detection system. Vehicle clearance warning chains and overhead flashing beacons will be added. A horn will alert drivers when an over-height vehicle nears the bridge. New cameras will allow staff to check conditions remotely.

The $120,000 project is paid for by Washington County and TriMet. Construction is expected to take place from April 25 through June with limited impacts to traffic.

Comment through May 8 on two possible alignments for an improved Saltzman Road between Bayonne Lane and Laidlaw Road:

• Western Alignment: Build a bridge to align Saltzman Road with Laidlaw Road and 130th Avenue.

• Eastern Alignment: Widen the existing Saltzman Road.

We are proposing changes to the Community Development Code and the Comprehensive Framework Plan to allow more middle housing. Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters.

Give us your feedback.

Neighborhood meetings, required for many Washington County development applications, can be held online temporarily as per the new COVID-19 Virtual Neighborhood Meeting Supplement.

April 23 - Proposed 18-unit townhouse, single-family development

At 11:30 a.m. at 18570 SW Blanton St. The site is 0.91 acre in the R-24 District (Residential, 19-24 units per acre) and is located at 18570 SW Blanton St. and 18600 SW Blanton St. Call 503-819-6494 or email John DeJong, Tech Engineering.

District 1; CPO 6

May 4 - Proposed 2-parcel partition

At 6 p.m. held virtually (instructions available here.) The site is 0.35 acre in the R-5 District (Residential, 4-5 units per acre) and is located at 8125 SW Westgate Way. Call 503-601-4401 or email Elizabeth Newman, NW Engineers.

District 2; CPO 3

May 10 - Proposed 6-lot subdivision, water quality facility

At 6 p.m. at the proposed location. The site is 1.17 acres in the R-5 District (Residential, 4-5 units per acre) and is located at 2805 SW 198th Ave. Call 503-956-4180 or email Kirsten Van Loo, Van Loo2 Associates.

District 1; CPO 6

Learn what's going on in your area of Washington County. Attend your Community Participation Organization (CPO). CPOs are made up of community members who work together and are actively engaged in decision-making processes. Find out where your CPO meets and learn more.