Nov. 8, 2017
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Snow zones implemented in Washington County
175th Avenue  (Click to enlarge)
Barnes Road (Click to enlarge)
Three areas in Washington County have been designated as " snow zones" - portions of roads where motorists are required by law to have studded tires, traction tires or tire chains on or in vehicles when traveling in severe weather.
The snow zone areas are:
  • 175th Avenue, between Scholls Ferry and Rigert roads
  • 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
These areas have high elevations and steep grades. During icy and snowy weather conditions, vehicles without traction devices are more likely to be involved in crashes or have difficulty driving on slick surfaces. One vehicle can easily cause multiple crashes when not equipped for winter-weather travel.
Requiring traction devices in these areas is expected to improve safety by reducing the number of traffic accidents. Traction devices can also reduce the number of vehicles stranded on shoulders and in the right-of way, which will allow for more efficient plowing and sanding of these roads.
Snow zones will be identified by signs in accordance with ODOT sign standards. The message will change with the seasons and/or weather conditions:
Off-season message
Off-season message
Winter message
Inclement weather message
The snow zone messaging will also be posted on www.wc-roads.com, the wc-roads Twitter and Facebook channels and the Washington County website.
Snow zone violations are a "secondary offense," meaning citations will be issued when law enforcement observes motorists disobeying other traffic laws or driving unsafely. Motorists involved in crashes or who own abandoned vehicles without traction devices could also receive citations. The citations usually carry fines of $160.
For more information, including maps of each snow zone, visit: www.snow-zones.comMedia release
Cornelius Pass Road project named APWA Project of 2017
The award presentation celebrates a public/private partnership
The Cornelius Pass Road project, a partnership between Intel Corp., the City of Hillsboro, Washington County and ODOT, has been named Transportation Project of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
The award was presented at both the APWA Oregon Chapter Fall Conference on Oct. 19 in Pendleton and at the Washington County Board of Commissioners (BOC) regular meeting on Tuesday [Nov. 7] at the Hillsboro Civic Center.
"This award recognizes excellence, innovation and cooperation with regard to administration of public works projects through the alliance of the managing agency, consultant and contractor," Krey Younger, Oregon APWA, said at the BOC presentation.
"The project was a significant element of Intel's large, comprehensive investment in the regional public transportation system in conjunction with our Ronler Acres site expansion," said Courtney Martin, Intel Director of Public Affairs for Oregon and California. "The Ronler campus is Intel's largest and most advanced research-and-development facility in the world."
The $18.3 million Cornelius Pass Road project was the award recipient in APWA's "Projects of $5 million, but less than $25 million" division. The project was managed by Washington County and funded through Intel, the County's Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP) Phase 3d, Hillsboro's Transportation Development Tax and Traffic Impact Fee programs and two ODOT Immediate Opportunity Fund (IOF) grant. The IOF grants were secured by Intel's commitment to employ at least 500 new high-tech workers per grant at the campus within two years of the project's completion.
"This was a challenging project with many moving parts," said Andrew Singelakis, Director, Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation. "Staff did a great job improving safety and traffic flow on this heavily traveled arterial."
"Thanks to this tremendous partnership, our community is an even better place to live and work," said Don Odermott, Transportation Planning Manager, City of Hillsboro. "The upgrades to Cornelius Pass Road have enhanced safety protection for pedestrians and bicyclists, increased transit options and expanded capacity for area employees and freight mobility."
The project widened Cornelius Pass Road to three lanes in each direction between Cornell Road and U.S. 26. There is a center median and dedicated turn lanes at several intersections, including U.S. 26. Other improvements included sidewalks on both sides of the road, a buffered bike lane on the west side, a separated two-way bike path on the east side and new street lighting. Video
Open houses
  • TriMet is conducting an online open house and several in-person open houses to solicit public comment on bus service improvements including new routes, all-night service on some lines, electric buses, a new low-income fare and a fairer citations process. Learn more
Highlights from wc-roads.com
Road closures
Lane closures
  • 80th Avenue, between Elmwood and Hemlock streets, for culvert replacement, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. through Nov. 17.
  • Cornelius Pass Road, between U.S. 26 and Cornell Road, for landscaping, intermittently, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 10.
  • Gordon Road at Beach Road, for drainage improvements, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 17.
  • TV Highway, between 182nd and 187th avenues, for a traffic separator, bus pull out and other safety features, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Nov. 30
  • TV Highway, Brookwood Parkway to OR 217 for intermittent work at intersections by ODOT, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. through Spring 2018.
  • TV Highway at OR 47, for intersection improvements by ODOT, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Visit wc-roads.com for more traffic and road updates.
NOTE: This information is provided here as a courtesy only. Neighborhood meetings are required before developers submit certain land use applications to the County (for areas outside cities). These meetings provide a forum for the developer, affected CPO (Community Participation Organization) and nearby property owners to discuss the proposal informally. County staff do not schedule or attend these meetings.
Nov. 16 - Proposed 2-lot parcel
At 6 p.m. at Garden Home Recreation Center, at the site. The property is 1.04 acres in the R-5 district (Residential, 4-5 units/acre) and is located at 7251 SW Hunt Club Road. Contact Brent and Taryn Kuenzi at 503-452-1495 or [email protected].
CPO 3; District 2