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McDaniel path to be built this summer

A project to widen the shoulder of McDaniel between Arnott Lane and Harding Court will be constructed later this summer. It was approved by Washington County as part of the 2013-2014 Urban Road Maintenance District Safety Improvement program. These projects are seen as a lower-cost way to provide space for cyclists and pedestrians to travel on our many sidewalk-free roads in the Urban Unincorporated Areas (UUAs) of Washington County.

Originally scheduled for construction last summer, the McDaniel Road shoulder widening project was primarily delayed due to unforeseen issues that occurred during design, according to Kim Haughn, Senior Program Educator with Washington County Land Use and Transportation (LUT). “By the time design was nearing completion, we were heading into the rainy/winter season. We chose to hold off construction until this year when the weather improved, and preferably during summer break to minimize impacts to school traffic. This project along with several other interim improvement projects will also likely be bid as a package, so we are awaiting finalization of design for several other projects as well. Bidding as a bundle is typically more efficient and cost effective,” Haughn says.

“When we scope these smaller projects, we don't always learn about unique complexities for the specific project area until design commences. Even though these projects are interim improvements, we need to make sure they are built properly (solid base, address drainage, etc.) and within the existing public right-of-way whenever possible because funding is limited and right-of-way compensation is costly. Constructing the improvements correctly and during optimal weather is important to us, versus pushing projects out the door and focusing on quantity over quality.”

Limited funds—especially since voters didn’t approve Washington County’s proposed vehicle registration fee last year—and limited right-of-way along the route, meant that a full sidewalk was not an option for this project. As part of the recently approved 2015 LUT Work Program, an Issue Paper will be completed to address the elimination of sidewalk gaps in the UUA, and to consider funding and regulatory obstacles.

The project isn’t eligible for the Safe Routes to School program, says Haughn. “The Federal Highway Administration has found widened paved shoulders to be very beneficial to improving pedestrian safety, and great alternatives to sidewalks and separated paths when there are limitations on what can be constructed within the road right-of-way. However, the Beaverton School District does not recognize widened shoulders as part of an approved walking route for their schools.”

Many students who attend Bonny Slope School live in the nearby Ironwood subdivision. Because this path will be on the south side of McDaniel, we asked if a crosswalk could be included at Blackhawk, which leads into Ironwood. Haughn replies, “A mid-block crossing will not be installed as part of this project (URMD and Road Fund do not fund mid-block crossings). Third parties may apply and fund mid-block crossings though. You can find more information about the mid-block crossing application process on the county website. Typically most mid-block crossing applicants are park departments, schools, city agencies, homeowner associations, and business owner associations.”

Another 2013-14 project that was delayed is also scheduled for construction this summer—a path along Laidlaw Road from Lakeview to 120th may also help pedestrians get to Stoller Middle School.

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