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“Offramp from hell” salvation begins!

A project to install a traffic signal at the offramp from U.S. 26/Sunset Highway eastbound onto Cedar Hills Boulevard is moving forward, and construction is expected to start in November.

The project, a partnership between the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), city of Beaverton, Washington County and private developer J. Peterkort and Company, will improve safety and relieve congestion. Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation will manage the project.

A timeline of recent events:

September 19: Bids were opened.

October 2: The Board approved a bid from Kerr Contractors in the amount of $1.6 million.

Mid November: Construction is expected to begin.

January 30, 2019: Sidewalks and ramp widening is expected to be complete.

April 30, 2019: Final completion expected. (Top-lift paving needs to occur after March 15; signal poles are not expected to be delivered until March).

In addition to the traffic signal, a sidewalk will be installed along the east side of Cedar Hills Boulevard under the U.S. 16 overpass. The west exit ramp will be widened to three lanes: two right turn (southbound) and two left turns (north bound).

The Project Page on the county website has background information and will be updated as the project continues.

Snow zone signs get a new look

New signs alerting motorists to traction device requirements are being installed in Washington County’s three snow zones.

The new signs will read “When Flashing Chains or Snow Tires Required” and are equipped with a solar-powered flashing light. Washington County Land Use & Transportation staff will turn on the flashing lights during periods of inclement weather.

The snow zone areas are located on:

• Barnes Road, from 118th Avenue east to the County line, adjacent to a city of Portland snow zone

• Cornell Road, from Cedar Hills Boulevard east to the County line.

• 175th Avenue, between Scholls Ferry and Rigert roads

The snow zones, areas with steep grades and high elevations, were established in November 2017. The original signs required LUT crews to manually attach the “traction devices required” message plates to the sign faces when weather conditions warranted.

“Manually changing the signs during inclement weather was a time-consuming process,” said Todd Watkins, LUT Operations and Maintenance Division manager. “When weather conditions warrant chains in these areas, we need to convey that message as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of the traveling public, as well as our crews. Turning on the lights will allow us to implement this safety measure much more quickly.”

Requiring traction devices—such as studded tires, snow tires or tire chains—in snow zones during icy, snowy conditions can help reduce crashes. Requiring traction devices also reduces the number of vehicles abandoned on or adjacent to roads, improving safety and allowing for more efficient plowing and sanding.

In addition to signs with flashing lights, travelers will be notified about snow zone traction device requirements through www.wc-roads.com, the wc-roads Twitter and Facebook channels and the Washington County website.

Snow zone violations are a secondary offense, enforced when a driver has committed another offense, such as speeding. A snow zone citation usually carries a fine of $160.

For more information, visit www.snow-zones.com.

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