Transportation Engineering

The need remains for a transportation link for people that walk and bike across the Clackamas River to connect the cities of Gladstone and Oregon City. 

This phase of the project will identify a preferred bridge structure type and perform up to 30 percent engineering design. The bridge will replace the recently demolished Portland Ave Historic Trolley Bridge and connect the existing Trolley Trail, a shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, to trails that exist along the Clackamas River on the Oregon City side of the river. 

The bridge design continues the work completed in a previous feasibility study. Clackamas County is assisting the City of Gladstone through the design process using the county's ODOT certification. 

Why

To improve active transportation access across the Clackamas River for pedestrians and bicyclists in the Gladstone and Oregon City areas. 

Schedule

Design: March 2024 – Dec. 2025

Traffic impact

No traffic interruptions during design phase.

Current activities

Project design

Funding

• Project estimate $1.37 million 
• Funding is provided from federal funds through the Metro 2022-24 Regional Flexible Fund Allocation Grant and from the City of Gladstone.

Bridge structure options

The intersection at 327th Ave and Bluff Road is located on a sharp curve with a skewed intersection angle in the Boring area.

To improve the safety of the intersection, we will reconfigure the approaching roads and the intersection, add a westbound left-turn lane, improve drainage, remove a portion of pavement, and add signs and pavement markings. We will also consider street lighting enhancements.

Why

To improve sight distance and reduce the frequency and severity of traffic crashes.

Schedule

• Design: June 2024 through June 2025
• Construction: Summer 2026

Traffic impact

Intermittent lane closures may occur during construction

Current activities

Project planning

Funding

• Project estimate $114,000.
• Funding is provided from the Community Road Fund.

Extending Stormwater Infrastructure to Laurie Ave.

The project will install a new 12-inch diameter stormwater main on 436 feet of Laurie Avenue south of Courtney Ave and 6 catch basins to reduce the frequency of flooding. Additionally, 300 feet of stormwater main on Courtney Avenue west of Laurie Avenue will be replaced with 12-inch diameter stormwater pipe. 

Why

The new stormwater main and catch basins are expected to reduce flooding and convey a 10-year storm event.

Schedule

• Design: June 2023 to April 2024
• Construction: March 2025 to July 2025

Traffic impact

Construction is planned to start Monday, March 10, 2025. Expect delays on Laurie Ave and Courtney Ave between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Current activities

Surveying and design services. 

Funding

• Project estimate $800,000.
• Funding is from county road funds.

Ensuring all traffic can cross the bridge without weight restrictions.

The Abernethy Creek (Holly Lane) Bridge crosses Abernethy Creek in the Oregon City area. The bridge has weight restrictions for traffic due to deficiencies in the concrete deck, floor beam cracks, and weakness of the gusset plates and will be replaced to current design standards. 

Why

To carry travelers without load restrictions for all traffic including emergency response and commercial truck traffic.

Schedule

• Design: Winter 2025 to Spring 2027
• Right of way: Winter 2026 to Spring 2027
• Construction: Spring 2027 to Winter 2028

Traffic impact

Expect delays or closures during construction.

Current activities

Waiting for funding agreement to initiate bid proposal for engineering design. 

Funding

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

Convert the intersection to a roundabout, widen the travel lanes to 12 feet, and add bike lanes.

We will also replace the culvert at Boeckman Creek under the intersection with a fish passable culvert, and add stormwater facilities to treat water runoff.

Clackamas County will partner with Washington County, Clean Water Services and the City of Wilsonville since the intersection spans multiple jurisdictions.

Why

To reduce congestion and improve safety for all travelers, and provide safe passage for fish and other wildlife though waterways.

Schedule

• Project planning and design: October 2024 – Dec 2026
• Right of Way Acquisition Efforts: Fall 2025 – Spring 2027
  All right of way acquisitions are conducted as required by state and federal law. Read right of way brochure: English | Spanish.
• Construction: Spring 2027 – Winter 2028/2029

Current activities

• Engineering design
• Provide feedback about potential designs at the virtual open house by March 31. 

Traffic impact

• Road closures are anticipated for a portion of this project. When construction work can safely occur with traffic, one lane will be closed at a time.  

Funding

• Project estimate $14 million
• Funding is provided from Community Road Fund and Transportation System Development Charges, City of Wilsonville funds, and Washington County funds

Open house resources

• Schedule
• General area map
• Traffic and crash data
• Full map: Multilane roundabout (option 1)
• Full map: Two traffic signals (option 2)
• Full map: Two roundabouts A (option 3, alignment A)
• Full map: Two roundabouts B (option 3, alignment B)

Other resources

• Presentation to Stafford Hamlet [video], Nov. 12

Clackamas County closed Barlow Trail Road on Jan. 6, 2022 near Barlow Trail Road Bridge (milepost 1.65) because of a landslide.

The closure was 200 feet west of Brightwood Bridge Road, between E Boulder Creek Ln and Brightwood Bridge Road. 

Why

To make the roadway safe for travelers by stabilizing the landslide and repairing the road.

Funding

• Project estimate $1.65 million
• Funding is provided from a Federal Highway Administration grant and matched with county road funds

Report oil spills from auto accidents and construction activities or illegal dumping into a storm drain.

In an emergency, please use our phone numbers to ensure a prompt response. 

Please include the following information:

• Address or nearest cross street
• Description of problem
• Your name
• Your contact information, including phone number and email address

Your contact information will be submitted in confidence, and the county will not disclose your information except as required by law.

Thank you for helping us to protect public health and the environment!

Improving safety for students who walk and bike to school 

When the sun doesn’t shine for multiple days in a row, the solar powered school flashing beacons may not have enough power to operate reliably. We will connect the signs to power utilities at six locations throughout the county.  

Flashing signs will be upgraded at: 

• River Road at Jennings Lodge Elementary
• River Road at Riverside Elementary
• 152nd Ave at Oregon Trail Elementary
• Webster Road at Alder Creek Middle School
• 242nd Ave at Lewis and Clark Charter School
• 172nd Ave at Scouters Mountain Elementary

Why

To maintain reliable operations, provide safer roadways for all users and to reduce maintenance costs.

Schedule

• Design: August 2023 to April 2025
• Construction: May 2025 to December 2025
   

Traffic impact

Expect shoulder and lane closures with minimal delays during construction.

Current activities

Final design 

Funding

• Project estimate $580,000.
• Funding is provided from Community Road Funds.

Reducing wait times and improving safety 

Reliable and accurate vehicle detection is required for proper traffic signal operation, to minimize vehicle delay and improve safety. We will replace traffic signal video detection systems at six intersections due to failing equipment and equipment no longer supported by the vendor. 
Video detection will be upgraded at the following intersections: 

• 172nd Ave and Rock Creek
• Johnson Creek Blvd and Bell Ave
• Otty Road and Fuller Road
• Monterey Ave and 85th Ave
• Stafford Road and Ek Road
• Park Ave and 27th Ave

Why

To maintain reliable signal operations, reduce wait times and provide safer roadways for all users.

Schedule

• Design: Jan. 2023 to Summer 2024
• Construction: Summer 2024 to Spring 2025

Traffic impact

Expect shoulder and lane closures with minimal delays during construction.

Current activities

Under design

Funding

• Project estimate $585,000.
• Funding is provided from county road funds.