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Welcome to the Washington County Land Use & Transportation 2nd Quarter 2024 Update - a newsletter for all things LUT!


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Over-height detection system reducing bridge strikes

No large trucks have gotten stuck under the railroad bridge overpass on Grahams Ferry Road since the installation of an over-height detection system in 2022. 


The $250,000 system, funded by Washington County and TriMet, is located on either side of the bridge on Grahams Ferry Road, between Clutter Road and the Washington County line.


The bridge has only 12.5 feet of clearance and is used by TriMet’s WES commuter rail during rush hours. Between 2021-2022, there were 33 bridge strikes reported. None have been reported since.

 

Learn more 

Reader Poll: Share your input

What would you like to see more of in your Quarterly Update?
Planning studies
Land use planning and projects
Road/street improvements and maintenance
Development/planning for commercial and residential sites
Building Services updates
Traffic safety

Urban Growth Boundaries in Washington County


There has been a lot of discussion around Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansions, particularly those impacting the cities of North Plains, Tigard and King City. Those discussions have also generated a lot of questions about UGBs.  


Washington County has four UGBs. The largest is part of the Metro UGB, which includes the cities of Beaverton, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, Sherwood, Tigard and parts of Lake Oswego, Portland, Rivergrove, Tualatin and Wilsonville.


Find out all about UGBs within Washington County

Get ready for summer paving

Expect paving work County-wide from July to September! This year our crews and contractors will be doing slurry seal, chip seal and asphalt overlay paving.


Schedules will be updated as new information becomes available. People living on or near roads being paved will be notified about potential traffic impacts. Learn more:


Sign up for Paving Updates

Board continues support for transportation system

The Board of Commissioners approved the $250 million Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program 3f funding allocation on June 4. See media release.


The allocation is made up of five categories: Capital Projects (complete streets), Large Project Match, Opportunity Fund, Rural Bridges and Intelligent Transportation Systems.

Check out projects selected

Landslides in Washington County


Work continues on the Timber Road Landslide Repair and the Scoggins Valley Road Stabilization projects as we approach construction later this year. These projects serve as reminders that landslides are common in Oregon’s Coast Mountain Range and impacts to our roads are expected. 


We monitor sites where we know slopes are unstable and complete repairs and stabilization projects when needed.

Discover more about landslides

Transportation News

All about the bidding and contracting process

Before the shovels hit the ground, most government transportation construction projects go through a bidding process. 


Most of Washington County’s road/street improvement projects are built by construction contractors selected though a competitive bid process. Oregon law requires all public (government) improvement contracts over $250,000 – including those for road/street projects – to be selected through this process.  

Learn more

Thompson Road Realignment

Tree removal on Kenny Terrace, the first step in the Thompson Road Realignment project, started in early June.


The project will connect Thompson Road to Kenny Terrace, west of Saltzman Road and north of Hartford Lane. This will result in a realignment that avoids two 90-degree curves. 


Thompson Road will be closed between Anthem Lane and Circle A Drive from July 1-Aug. 25. A second closure is planned at Saltzman Road this fall. Dates are subject to change.

Read more

Springville Road Phase 4

The final phase of Springville Road, between Joss Avenue and PCC Rock Creek, is beginning soon.


The road is being widened to three lanes (one lane in each direction and a center turn lane) with buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, street lighting and replacement of two culverts.  


Springville will be closed between PCC Rock Creek and the Courtyard Apartments, for a culvert replacement tentatively scheduled to start in July. A second closure will be in summer 2025. Dates are subject to change. 

Learn more

Farmington Road and River Road intersection

Construction has started on the Farmington Road and River Road Roundabout project.  


Farmington Road will remain open during construction, but there will be delays.  


River Road will be closed south of the intersection for about 110 days, tentatively scheduled to start in July. Driveway access will be maintained. A second closure during the final phase will be north of the intersection and is expected to last 70 days. Dates subject to change. 

See detour map and more

Upcoming Events

June 21-July 14

July 4

July 11

Witch Hazel Road Sidewalk online open house

July 4th Holiday

Most County offices closed

JOIN US: Aloha Community Farmers Market

July 13

July 19 & 21

Aug. 3

JOIN US: iViva Tualatin!

JOIN US: Washington County Fair

JOIN US: THPRD's Big Truck Day

Aug. 6

Aug. 9-10

Aug. 21

JOIN US: National Night Out Cornelius

JOIN US: Elephant Garlic Festival

Cornelius Pass Road Bridge over Butternut Creek

Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Aug. 22

Aug. 24

Aug. 24

JOIN US: Aloha Farmer's Market

JOIN US: Beaverton Farmers Market

JOIN US: TriMet Better Red Celebration

Aug. 24

Aug. 28

Sept. 2

JOIN US: Beaverton Farmers Market

JOIN US: Forest Grove Farmers Market

Labor Day

Most County offices closed

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Washington County Department of

Land Use & Transportation

www.washingtoncountyor.gov/lut