Transportation Engineering

Increasing stormwater capacity to reduce flooding and improve maintenance access

Flooding on El Camino Way, El Centro Way, El Centro Ct and La Mesa Way roads in the Oak Grove area occurs periodically. To reduce the frequency of flooding and to provide stormwater infrastructure with capacity for a 10-year storm event, we will replace the existing stormwater pipes. Currently, most of the stormwater pipes exist on private property and most of the pipes will be moved to existing roads within the public right of way. Constructing the storm pipes within the right of way will be easier to maintain.

Why

To decrease the frequency of flooding, improve maintenance access, and to comply with Oak Lodge Water District and Clackamas County standards requiring stormwater collection systems to provide for a 10-year storm event for this size of drainage basin.

Schedule

• Design: Feb. 2023 to April 2024
• Right of way: Dec. 2023 to April 2024
• Construction: May 2026 to August 2026

Traffic impact

• Expect shoulder and lane closures and detours with delays up to 20 minutes during construction.
• Construction is expected to be completed within two weeks. Remaining work includes installing remaining pipe and trench patching.

Funding

• Project estimate $1.4 million
• Funding is provided from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Contact 

Mike Oleson

Project Manager

503-742-4698

MichaelOle@clackamas.us

Stormwater management provides water quality protection for the community by implementing programs to reduce pollution in our rivers, streams and wetlands caused by urban stormwater runoff.

Stormwater runoff is the most significant source of water pollution in our state. It washes pollutants into storm drains and drainage ditches, carrying silt, oil, chemicals, trash and pesticides to the nearest creek, stream or wetland. The polluted runoff can harm fish, aquatic life, and threaten our drinking water.

Properly managing stormwater is critical to protect our rivers, streams, creeks and wetlands. The Stormwater Management Plan outlines how our teams follow procedures for runoff at construction sites, spill containment, erosion prevention, site inspections, reporting, etc.

Stormwater management map

Report dumping and spills

Report sewer or stormwater problems or concerns, such as oil leaks, a sewer spill or illegal dumping into a storm drain.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit

The 2022 MS4 Permit Shared Stormwater Management Program Document describes the stormwater management program of four of 12 co-permittees of the municipal separate storm sewer system permit (MS4 Permit). Clackamas County, Water Environment Services, the City of Happy Valley, and the City of Rivergrove co-report on their educational and operational efforts.

The shared stormwater management plan document acts as a resource for the public to learn about the participant's efforts to reduce pollutants discharged by the storm sewer systems, an informative guide for staff and a compliance measure for the MS4 Permit.

• Annual Report 2024-2025
• Annual Report 2023-2024
• Annual Report 2022-2023
• Annual Report 2021-2022

MS4 Permit Stormwater Management Plan

Clackamas County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit requires an annual report be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the same year to prove the objectives stated in the stormwater management plan have been accomplished.

• 2010 CCDTD MS4 NPDES Permit Stormwater Management Plan
• 2021 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Phase 1 Permit

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Stormwater runoff is a contributor to water pollution, particularly in developing and urbanized areas. To meet state water quality standards, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) calculates the total maximum daily load (TMDLs) to measure pollutants in water bodies associated with stormwater sources, such as pathogens, nutrients, sediments, and metals.

This is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutants sources.

Watershed Jurisdictional Areas Major Watersheds of Clackamas County

Area implementation plans to meet water quality standards 

• Willamette River
  • Implementation Plan
  • Report
• Tualatin River
  • Implementation Plan
  • Report
• Sandy River
  • Implementation Plan

Training

Construction site erosion control and pollution prevention training opportunities are periodically updated. Please check back for future training information.

Provide feedback

Each fall, we offer the opportunity for our community to comment on the contents of the MS4 Permit Annual Report before submitting to the state Department of Environmental Quality. Comments received by the deadline will be reviewed by staff and addressed as appropriate.

You can request a paper copy by contacting Devin Patterson at 503-742-4666 or devinpat@clackamas.us.

During the comment period, you can send in your comments by:

• Emailing devinpat@clackamas.us
• Mailing to the attention of Devin Patterson, Bridge Scour/Fish-Passage Coordinator, Clackamas County DTD-Engineering Division, Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045
• Faxing 503-742-4659 
   

Resources

• WES Surface Water Management
• Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Planning and Design Manual
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System construction site discharge permits (1200-C and 1200-CN): All development activity within Clackamas County disturbing at least one acre is required to secure a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 1200-C Construction Stormwater (Erosion Control) Permit or a 1200-CN Permit. Typically the 1200-C permit is issued for large subdivisions, multi-family, commercial and industrial projects to regulate stormwater runoff to surface waters from construction activities.
• Protecting the Clackamas River
• Clean Water Tips for Home
• Clean Water Tips for Businesses and Industry
   

The Airport and Miley intersection has long been one of Clackamas County’s more problematic locations – frequent crashes, long queues, and neighborhood cut-through traffic on Prairie View Drive. This project delivers a focused, data-driven safety solution designed to make daily travel safer and more predictable.

This project will convert the intersection to an all-way stop with an overhead flashing beacon, upgrade intersection lighting to meet current safety standards, install a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera for real-time traffic monitoring, and will upgrade signs and pavement markings.

The county will coordinate with the City of Wilsonville and ODOT.

Why

• Studies show up to 70% crash reduction at intersections converted to all-way stops
• Injury crashes decline even more dramatically
• Every serious injury or fatal crash is one too many. Our goal is zero
• Small time trade-off (15 seconds or less at peak hours) yields major safety benefits

Schedule

• Design: Through June 2026
• Construction: Fall 2026

Traffic impact

• Minor and intermittent lane closures will be needed during construction.

Current activities

• Project design

Funding

• Project estimate $431,000
• Funding is provided from the county road fund and state gas taxes

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

• Construction work is progressing on schedule. Project is planned to be substantially complete by August, 31 2026.

Funding

• Project estimate is $416,056 with $321,480 in grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant and the remaining $94,576 from County Road Fund.