Learn about the OR 217 Auxiliary Lane project

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/07/2018 05:11 PM PDT

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Map of OR 217 Auxiliary Lane project
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OR 217 Auxiliary Lane project logo

What's Happening on OR 217?

Questions or comments?

  • Contact Lili Boicourt, ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator at 503-731-8247 or Lili.D.Boicourt@odot.state.or.us 
  • Visit the project website at www.hwy217.org
  • Join staff at an open house on May 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Whitford Middle School, 7935 SW Scholls Ferry Road in Beaverton.  Drop in any time during the scheduled hours to learn more about the project and schedule
  • Visit the online open house starting May 23 at www.hwy217.org

View the newsletter as a PDF.

What is this project?

ODOT is in the design phase on a highway improvement project on OR 217. Construction is slated to begin in 2020. The Oregon Legislature allocated $98 million toward this project in House Bill 2017, also known as Keep Oregon Moving.

The main project elements are:

  • Build ramp-to-ramp auxiliary lanes on OR 217 southbound from Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway to Greenburg Road and on OR 217 northbound from OR 99W to Scholls Ferry Road
  • Build a frontage road between the Allen Boulevard and Denney Road interchanges along OR 217 southbound. This will eliminate the Allen Boulevard southbound on-ramp and the Denney Road southbound off-ramp. Instead, drivers will use the new frontage road to travel between the two interchanges. These interchanges are one of the worst bottleneck locations on OR 217 and also one of the most dangerous. A frontage road will reduce the weaving movements and crashes
  • Replace one of the Hall Boulevard bridges over OR 217. This is the southernmost bridge at SW Pfaffle Street (near OR 99W in Tigard). The bridge replacement is needed to accommodate the new auxiliary lanes
  • Conduct a noise study to evaluate the feasibility of building sound walls. The final outcome of the noise study is not yet known.

Project design is now under way and work is expected to begin on the southbound side of OR 217 in 2020.  This will be followed by the Hall Boulevard bridge replacement and work on the northbound side.  All work is expected to finish by 2022.

Why is this project needed?

OR 217 carries up to 120,000 vehicles a day and has 10 interchanges in just over seven miles of highway, with some of the shortest interchange spacing in the region. This causes significant bottlenecks, leading to high crash rates and unpredictable travel times. Crashes increase congestion, causing more delays. 

ODOT is focusing on lower-cost, effective and immediate solutions to improve bottleneck locations. One solution is building auxiliary lanes. 

Auxiliary lanes provide a direct connection from one interchange ramp to the next, by separating on- and off-ramp merging traffic from through traffic. This in turn smooths traffic flow, reduces the potential for crashes and improves reliability.

Auxiliary Lane example

Expected Construction Impacts

During construction, all existing lanes of OR 217 will remain open during weekday daytime hours. Work that could impact travelers will be primarily performed during nights and weekends to minimize traffic impacts. People can expect traffic delays, noise and occasional ramp closures. While the Hall Boulevard bridge is replaced, half the bridge will remain open at a time allowing continued use for people driving, walking or bicycling.

Additional information

Habla ustéd español? Podemos proveer la información en esta publicación en español. Para recibir la información en español, por favor llamé al (503) 731-4128.

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

Visit our project web page for more information.