Transportation Engineering

The Bull Run River Bridge crosses the Bull Run River north of the Sandy area. The portion of the bridge above the foundation (superstructure) is more than 126 years old and comes from a span of Portland's Burnside Bridge that was constructed in 1894. The Bull Run Bridge section was moved to its current location in 1926.

The bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and requires increasingly expensive repair and maintenance projects in order to keep it open. In 2021 truck weight restrictions were placed on the bridge and the bridge's roadway was reduced to one lane in order to preserve its remaining life. This is a critical access point for the City of Portland's water system that supplies water to much of the Portland area.

It is anticipated a new Bull Run River Bridge would be constructed next to the current structure. 

Why

To remove weight restrictions for trucks and to ensure connections exist for emergency response, access for timber industry, Portland Water Bureau and residents of an isolated rural area.

Share your bridge rail design preferences

Part of the bridge replacement project may include designing historical elements into the bridge plans. Share your preferences by April 30, 2026 at https://engageclackamas.mysocialpinpoint.com/bull-run-bridge. 

Schedule

We anticipate the schedule as follows:

• Design: April 2025 - Spring 2028
• Right of way: Winter 2027 - Winter 2028
• Construction: Spring 2028 - Fall 2029 

Background

The Bull Run Bridge was originally constructed in 1894 as part of the Burnside Bridge over the Willamette River in downtown Portland, and was moved to its current location in 1926. The Bull Run Bridge crosses the Bull Run River and is a key access point to the Bull Run Reservoirs, which provide clean water to over 1 million customers in the Portland area. 

Further deterioration of the structure could require the bridge to be closed to all traffic in the next five to 10 years if it is not replaced. A closure would require residents, businesses and emergency services to use a lengthy detour route to reach homes and businesses in the Bull Run River watershed. 

A recent inspection of the bridge by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) identified some components in worse condition compared to the prior inspection. ODOT developed a new load rating for the bridge based on the latest conditions of the bridge, which resulted in new weight restrictions.

Over time, the natural processes of deterioration and constant use take their toll on bridges and can leave a bridge with less capacity than when it was originally designed and built. Also, the size and weight of freight and emergency vehicles has been increasing steadily. Because most of Oregon's bridges were not designed for current vehicle sizes and weights, many of our aging bridges cannot safely carry all modern loads. These bridges must be posted to limit traffic to the loads they can safely carry without impairing structure or safety. 

Navigating the weight restrictions for commercial freight businesses  

While this closure to vehicles over 12 tons is resulting in much longer travel times, it is necessary to maintain critical access for community members' daily and recreational use, and for emergency services. Therefore, we can no longer provide special use permits for heavy loads due to the declining condition of the bridge.

Trucks and other vehicles that weigh over 12 tons must travel on Gordon Creek Road in Multnomah County, which also has two bridges with weight restrictions for certain types of vehicles. Multnomah County bridge information.

Read frequently asked questions
 

Funding

• Total project estimate: $20 million
• $2 million funded for design and right of way work from Oregon Local Agency Bridge Selection Committee (LABSC), plus a local match for $205,700 from the Road Fund.
• Construction financed with federal funds through ODOT Local Bridge Program with County Road Fund match (state gas tax revenues) and the Portland Water Bureau.

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Replace the damaged signal pole at the southwest corner of 82nd Dr and Jennifer St. Includes replacing all signal poles, adding mast arms and signal heads, repaving the intersection, reconstructing all curb ramps to meet ADA requirements and adding pedestrian push buttons.

Why

To maintain regional traffic signal connection and to improve pedestrian access.

Schedule

• Design: Sept. 2023-Winter 2024
• Construction: Spring 2025- Wnter 2025

Current activities

• Selected DKS as the consultant for project design

Traffic impact

• Minor and intermittent lane closures for traffic signal upgrades will be needed.

Funding

• Project estimate $1.4 million
• Funding is provided from the county road funds

Happy Valley has been developing at a rapid pace. Developing the infrastructure along 172nd Ave is a high priority for the city and county. 172nd Ave will be widened to four travel lanes with a center planter median and turn lanes between Misty Dr to Scouters Mountain Road with added bike lanes, landscape strips and sidewalks.

Improvements at major intersections will include adding a roundabout at Troge Road and expanding the single-lane roundabout at Scouters Mountain Road to a multi-lane roundabout. Improvements will also include right of way acquisitions, moving existing utilities underground, replacing culverts at Troge Road, enhancing pedestrian crossings, and adding street lighting.

The City of Happy Valley will be assisting in project coordination and review. The county will manage and lead the design and construction activities.

Why

To reduce congestion, improve safety, provide safe routes and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians and to keep pace with future growth of Happy Valley.

Schedule

• Design: March 2023 to Winter 2026
• Right of way: Fall 2025 to Winter 2026
  All right of way acquisitions are conducted as required by state and federal law. 
• Construction: Spring 2027 to Winter 2028

Current activities

• Refining proposed improvement design to 90% design level, and utility coordinationenvironmental permitting, and right of way acquisitions.

Traffic impact

• Expect delays on roadway for vehicles and bicycles during construction.

Funding

• Project estimate is $30 million
• Funding is provided from City of Happy Valley Funds and joint city/county Transportation System Development Charge Joint District Funds.

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Replace 99 traffic signal controllers at 99 intersections with upgraded equipment in unincorporated Clackamas County and areas within City of Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, Oregon City, Milwaukie, Gladstone, and West Linn. 

The new controllers will allow for improved timing at intersections and to use performance data tracking that will inform future changes of the traffic signal. The upgraded traffic signal controllers will connect with the region's central signal system. The central signal system allows agency engineers to monitor operations, making changes in real-time, and receive alerts and information to better inform signal operations and repairs. 

These upgrades are a regional priority supported by TransPort, a group that makes recommendations on transportation system management and operations needs in the region to the Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee. The project is supported by Metro's Transportation System Management and Operations Program. 

Why

To increase reliability of traffic signal system, improve travel times and increase safety for all modes of travel at intersections.

Schedule

Design: July 2022 – June 2023
Construction: July 2023 – June 2027

Traffic impacts

Minor and intermittent lane closures for traffic signal upgrades will be needed.

Current activities

• Re-timing and installation of traffic signal controllers

Funding

• Project estimate $820,103
• Funding is provided from Metro’s Transportation System Management and Operations Grant, and matches from the county road fund and from local cities including Gladstone, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City, West Linn and Wilsonville. 

Project description

Many portions of Monroe Street from Linwood Ave to Fuller Road have no sidewalks or bike lanes. This project will fill in those gaps and construct other improvements. 

• On Monroe Street between Linwood Ave and Fuller Road  the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks to fill in gaps
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic). (The path is proposed to be on the south side on the west section of Monroe and on the north side on the east section.)
  • Upgrade curb ramps at intersections to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
  • Add landscaping strips
  • Repair the road base, repave the road and improve the stormwater system
  • A mini-roundabout at the intersection with 72nd Ave.
• On 72nd Ave between Monroe St and Thompson Road the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks on the east side of street,
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic) on the west side of street
  • Add a landscaping strip on the west side of street..
• On Thompson Road between 72nd Ave and Lot Whitcomb Elementary School the project will:
  • Add 5-foot sidewalks on the north side of street
  • Add a 10-foot multi-use path (separated from traffic) on the south side of the street
  • Upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards at intersections 

Why

The improvements are designed to:

• increase safety and ease of access for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians
• allow safer and easier access to schools and bus stops
• support healthy ways to commute to school and work
• support the community by making it easier and safer for residents to walk, bike, and enjoy their neighborhood
• reduce localized flooding and promote redevelopment

Schedule

• Design: Feb. 2021 – Dec. 2023
• Right of way: June 2023 – Nov 2024
• Construction: Winter 2025 – Spring 2026

Traffic impact

• Expect road closures with local access and emergency vehicles only.
• Monroe closed between 70th Ave and Thompson Road, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 15-Aug. 22 to build the roundabout.

Things to be aware of

These improvements will complement other projects in the area including:

• Linwood Ave (Clackamas County) from Monroe St to Johnson Creek Blvd. Construction will start in late 2022 to create a bike/pedestrian connection to the Springwater Corridor.
• Linwood Ave (Milwaukie) from Harmony Road to Monroe St connects the west end of the Monroe St project to the Linwood Avenue Improvement Project at the Linwood/Monroe Intersection.
• Monroe St Neighborhood Greenway (Milwaukie) from 21st Ave to Linwood Ave. 

Current activities

• Utility relocations
• Construction contractor chosen
• Construction in progress 

Funding

• Estimated cost: $10.3 million
• Funding source: Clackamas County Development Agency through the North Clackamas Revitalization Area (NCRA) urban renewal district 

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Construct sidewalks on both sides of SE Webster Road from Bilquist Elementary School to the existing Tri-Met transit stop at SE Roots Road, widen bike lanes to 8-feet and add a buffer area between bikes and vehicles. Crosswalk upgrades include adding lighting, a center pedestrian refuge and constructing curb ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to provide access for people with disabilities.

Why

To provide a safe route for bicyclists and pedestrians along Webster Road connecting to Bilquist Elementary School and all community members.

Schedule

• Design: present to Dec. 2024
• Right of way: May 2023 to Winter 2024
• Construction: June 2, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025

Traffic impacts

You'll likely see workers in the area in the near future. They will be preparing for construction to start on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Except for paving and striping, work will only take place directly in front of the school during summer break (June 15 – August 31).

Road closures at the Webster Ln/Webster Road and Mabel Ave/Webster Road intersections are needed for construction. These closures will last 1-2 weeks. Advanced notice will be provided by message boards onsite. Residents will have access to their homes during the road closures. Please follow the detour route and slow down and use caution near the work zone to keep workers safe.

General project phasing (subject to change)
• Phase 1: Storm and road improvements along the east side of Webster Road, working south to north
• Phase 2: Storm and road improvements along the west side of Webster Road 
• Phase 3: Paving and striping between Bilquist Elementary and Roots Road

Thank you for your patience as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.

Current activities

• Preparing for construction and utility relocations
• Community feedback at virtual open house: English | Español

Funding

• Project estimate is $3.3 million
• Funding is provided from Safe Routes to School grant, County Road Funds and Transportation System Development Charges.

Project description

Replace two metal culverts carrying Badger Creek under Rugg Road with a larger, fish-friendly culvert near the Springwater Corridor Trail and the Telford Road intersection in the Boring area.

Why

To preserve the roadway, allow for proper drainage, and assure safe passage for travelers. This project will also provide improved fish passage conditions to allow salmon and other migratory species to pass upstream into coolwater habitat.

Schedule

• Design: April 2021 to May 2025
• Right of way: December 2022 - May 2025
• Construction: July 2026 - December 2026

Traffic impact

• A road closure will be needed during construction.
• Project is expected to take up to 2 months to complete.
• Culvert work limited to a state-approved in-water work window period of July 15-August 31

Current activities

• Project going out to bid

Funding

• Project estimate $321,480.00
• Funding is provided from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant and county road funds.

The Walk Bike Clackamas Plan is a comprehensive, long-term vision to improve opportunities for people who walk and bike in Clackamas County.

Adopted Walk Bike Plan  Adoption Materials

The plan, which applies to all urban and rural unincorporated areas of Clackamas County:

• Establishes infrastructure priorities, such as where to build new bike lanes and sidewalks, which will help the county apply for future grants and other funding opportunities
• Identifies programs that increase safety and convenience of walking and biking (like Safe Routes to School).
• Updates active transportation polices and adopt performance measures so we can track progress during implementation
• Serves as the pedestrian and bicycle transportation elements of the county’s updated Transportation System Plan (TSP)

Key Terms and Definitions

• Active transportation: human-powered modes of travel, including walking, rolling a wheelchair, and riding a bicycle.
• Facilities and infrastructure: designated places for people to walk, roll, and ride a bike, such as off-street shared-use trails, painted bike lanes on streets, marked and signalized crosswalks, and sidewalks and multiuse paths.
• Equity: reducing or eliminating disparities by thoughtfully spreading resources to overcome the unique barriers different groups face.
• Health equity: providing fair access to opportunities and resources for people to achieve physical and social health and well-being, and reducing barriers caused by circumstances outside of a person’s control, such as race, ethnicity, or social background.
• Communities of interest: groups of people who have experienced or continue to experience inequitable access to resources in society. Walk Bike Clackamas is focused on achieving equitable outcomes for the following communities of interest:
  • Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC)
  • Immigrants
  • People with limited English proficiency
  • Low-income and low-wealth community members
  • Low- and moderate-income renters and homeowners
  • People with disabilities
  • Youth and seniors

Timeline

The Molalla River (Knights Bridge Road) Bridge in the Canby area is an important connection for delivery of goods and services throughout the region. Bridge repairs will include painting, sealing cracks on the deck, resurfacing the deck, and repairing the concrete columns and bridge approaches. This project also includes seismic upgrades. 

Why

To preserve and extend the life of the bridge, to remove weight restrictions, allow for traffic to cross in an emergency, and to improve resiliency within our essential transportation network in the event of an earthquake.

Funding

• Project estimate $5.4 million
• Funding was provided from ODOT Local Bridge Program with a 10.3% match from county road funds 

Courtney Ave. is a narrow roadway with bike lanes and no sidewalks which creates potential conflicts between all users.

The complete streets project will improve safety and accessibility by providing 6-foot separated sidewalks on both sides of Courtney Avenue; 8-foot buffered bike lanes; intermittent rain gardens for stormwater management; street and pedestrian lighting and ADA compliant intersection curb ramps; and crosswalk enhancements at two intersections. The sidewalk and bikeway improvements will also provide a direct east-west connection to the Trolley Trail for travelers.

Why

To improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists with sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes, and an improved link to the Trolley Trail.

Schedule

• Project planning and design: Sept. 2023 – winter 2025/2026
• Right of Way Acquisition Efforts: March 2025 – spring 2026 
  All right of way acquisitions are conducted as required by state and federal law. Read right of way brochure: English | Spanish.
• Construction: summer 2027 – winter 2026/2027 

Traffic impact

• No impacts to traffic at this time. Rolling single lane closures and detours may be needed during construction.

Current activities

• Project design phase.

Funding

• Project estimate $6.6 million
• Funding is provided from the county road funds, transportation system development charges and capital federal funds through a Metro 2022–24 Regional Flexible Fund Allocation Grant and ODOT.