The nearly-completed sidewalk along 143rd will make pedestrian travel much safer and more pleasant. It was accomplished with funding from the Minor Betterments Program.

Minor Betterments = major safety improvements

Washington County has lately been addressing the needs of its urban unincorporated areas (UUAs) through improved funding and attention to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. The Minor Betterments Program (MBP) of the Washington County Land Use & Transportation Department has been using funds from gas taxes, weight-mile taxes, and vehicle registration and title fees to build the infrastructure needed for people to walk around our neighborhoods safely.

Washington County Interim Communications Coordinator Victoria Saager explains, “HB 2001 is bringing increased road maintenance revenue to the county, some of which is being used to expand our MBP. The MBP budget doubled from FY2009-2010 to FY2010-2011.” More information is on the county website.

MBP projects awaiting Board approval for 2011-2012 include (in or near Cedar Mill) pedestrian paths on Cornell from 119th to Saltzman, 153rd from Cornell to Arcadia, Barnes from 70th Terrace to Miller Road, and Kinnaman Road from Farmington to 185th; and an ADA ramp at 158th and Walker Road.

The Operations & Maintenance Division is accepting proposals from the public for projects to be accomplished during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The deadline for project submission is July 15. More information is at: co.washington.or.us/LUT/Divisions/Operations/Programs/minor-betterments.cfm

The Connecting Neighborhoods subcommittee of Citizen Participation Organization 1 (CPO 1) has been working on a list of proposed projects in our area. (CPO 1 represents Cedar Mill and Cedar Hills.) The subcommittee meets monthly on the second Wednesday, except for August, and they’ll be prioritizing their recommendations for submittal before the deadline at their meeting on July 13, 7 pm at the Leedy Grange Hall, 835 NW Saltzman.

Everyone with an interest in improving safe non-vehicle travel is invited to attend. A list of the proposed projects can be found on the Connecting Neighborhoods Google site: 
sites.google.com/site/cpo1connectingneighborhoods and click on Minor Betterments.

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