PROJECT UPDATE
April 2020

Construction work continues to proceed amidst COVID-19 epidemic
As per Gov. Kate Brown’s Executive Order No. 20-07, as well as Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Washington County guidance, Washington County Department of Land Use & Transportation is enforcing all efforts aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, as road construction continues to be an essential service, it will continue unless directed otherwise.
 
Construction and utility contractors and subcontractors will continue to follow the Governor’s Executive Order and OHA, Oregon OSHA and the Associated General Contractors - Columbia Chapter guidelines.
Construction information
SW 198th Avenue, between Blanton Street and Farmington Road, continues to be a designated construction zone. The posted speed limit is temporarily reduced to 25 mph. Traffic fines for moving violations are doubled. Lane restrictions and other traffic control remains in place.
Work in progress
198th Avenue
The general contractor is working on the north end of the project, installing new storm pipe and structures between Shaw Street and Kinnaman Road (west). Other crews are beginning the building and grading of new sidewalk foundations between Celebrity and Farmington roads.
 
Weather permitting, the contractor is completing the base lift paving of the widened roadway between Celebrity and Farmington roads. Because of the length, the contractor needs several good days of weather to complete this paving work. As the paving work moves northward, side street within this segment will also be base paved. The final lift of asphalt will not be installed until sometime later this summer.
 
The electrical subcontractor has completed the installation of new electrical conduit, related junction boxes and the street light pole bases, between Celebrity and Farmington Road and is now working on the northern portion of the project.
 
All work associated with the two new bridges is complete. This includes the relocation of the new sanitary sewer lines around the new bridges structures and the installation of two new water lines through the bridges.
 
PGE has substantially completed their relocation for the corridor. They have some minor underground connection to make and are still in the area performing line improvements in the adjacent areas as well as making electrical switchover for the telecommunication providers. Contractors for Frontier and Comcast continue relocating their facilities between Jaylee Street and Farmington Road.
Upcoming activities
198th Avenue
Work schedule for the upcoming months includes:

  • Completion of storm pipe and structure installation between Shaw Street and Kinnaman Road.
  • Installation of storm pipe and structures on Kinnaman Road.
  • Continued installation of electrical conduit, junction boxes and street light pole bases between Shaw and Southview streets.
  • Begin installation of new traffic signal pole bases at Kinnaman Road (at the new alignment.
  • Continue aerial and underground relocations by Frontier, Comcast and other utilities.
  • Begin grading for new sidewalks between Celebrity Street and Farmington Road, working from south to north.
  • Begin grading and installation of driveways and approaches for residents between Celebrity Street and Farmington Road.

NOTE: The contractor and County will make an effort to give advanced notice to property owners when driveway work is scheduled to occur. If no one is around, a door hanger will be left on the front door with the approximate dates the driveway work is to occur. Depending on the work, access to your driveway may be restricted.
Safety
Please obey all construction signage and flagger instructions/directions. These safety measures are in place to protect the public, as well as the construction workers.

With any road construction activities, there will be noise, dust and traffic impacts. We understand that this is very disruptive to the neighborhood/homeowners.We apologize for these inconveniences and appreciate your understanding and patience.
Traffic impacts
Please note that the through lanes at the north end of the project, between Southview and Shaw streets, have be shifted to the west side. This lane shift allows construction of new storm pipe and structures and various utility relocations while still allowing through traffic movements. Caution should be exercised while driving through this work zone.
 
SW 198th Avenue, between Blanton Street and Farmington Road, has been designated a construction zone. The posted speed limit has been temporarily reduced to 25 mph. Lane restrictions and other traffic control remain in place.
 
Traffic fines for moving violations in a construction work zone are doubled.
 
Project work hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m., weekdays. Lane restrictions are limited to the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays.
About the project
SW 198th Avenue, between Farmington Road and TV Highway, is being widened to three lanes (one lane in each direction and a center turn lane).

Additional improvements include:
  • Continuous bicycle lanes and sidewalks
  • Replace bridges at Butternut and Celebrity creeks
  • Signalize 198th Avenue/Kinnaman Road intersection and realign west leg the intersection
  • Safety enhancements at all intersections
  • Street lighting
  • Storm drainage upgrades
  • Culvert crossing upgrades
  • Roadway geometry improvements

Thanks for your patience.
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