Taking action on a Washington County and Oregon Department of Transportation decision, the Metro Council today approved redirection of money originally destined to fund a large, limited-access 4-lane arterial in Washington and Clackamas counties to four community projects. Public opposition to the arterial effectively removed it from long-term regional plans, freeing up state and federal funding to improve traffic flow on the existing road system.
The Metro Council vote helps to advance three new projects and expand or expedite a fourth one. The three new projects include installation of three intersection cameras, a new message sign and a weather information system in Sherwood; project development work and land acquisition to improve the intersection of Highway 99W and Southwest Gaarde and McDonald streets in Tigard; and the transfer of a section of Southwest Boones Ferry Road from ODOT to Washington County to allow for consistent management and maintenance of the entire facility. The fourth project adds turn lanes, bicycle lanes and pedestrian amenities on Highway 99W and Southwest Hall Boulevard.
These changes were coordinated with Washington County decisions to expedite three related transportation projects. Those projects include a new auxiliary lane on Interstate 5 southbound from Interstate 205 to north Wilsonville; the extension of Adams Street, a new three-lane connector with bike and pedestrian amenities, from downtown Sherwood to Tualatin-Sherwood Road; and preliminary engineering for the extension of Southwest 124th Avenue from Tualatin-Sherwood Road to Boones Ferry Road.
All of these projects will improve transportation connections, enhancing freight movement on Interstate 5 and making it easier to get around on foot, by bicycle or by car, while supporting construction jobs around the region.