Speed limit drops on one mile of TV Highway in Cornelius
March 2, 2020
Contact: Don Hamilton, 504-704-7452
CORNELIUS – ODOT posted signs last week showing a new temporary reduction the speed limit along Tualatin Valley Highway in Cornelius, the first in a series of efforts looking at future safety improvements in the corridor.
The speed limit decreased from 50 to 45 mph along a one-mile stretch of Tualatin Valley Highway, OR 8, between Dairy Creek Bridge and Southwest 345th Avenue. The temporary reduction is set to expire Dec. 31, 2020.
This speed limit reduction is the start of several safety considerations in the works for Tualatin Valley Highway.
Speed feedback signs have been deployed in the corridor to inform motorists of the speed limit and to display how fast they’re going.
Later this year, ODOT will initiate a Road Safety Audit (RSA) in the area. A Road Safety Audit is a formal study to evaluate safety issues and identify opportunities for improvements. The process includes a walk-through by traffic engineers, law enforcement, local officials and neighbors to look for trouble spots and consider short-term, mid-term and long-term improvements.
Previous Road Safety Audits in other corridors found short-term solutions such as removing vegetation and improving striping, and long-term solutions such as realigning intersections and installing median barriers, roundabouts and other more expensive options to help reduce crashes.
ODOT has also recommended the Oregon Transportation Commission approve a $5.2 million project to replace an old traffic signal at Tualatin Valley Highway and Southwest Main Street and install rapid flash beacons at three locations to improve crossing safety in the corridor. The rapid flash beacons are planned for:
- Tualatin Valley Highway at A&B row on the west side of Cornelius.
- Armco Avenue in Hillsboro
- Southwest 174th Avenue in Aloha.
Upon completion of the road safety audit, and after identification of any additional safety improvements, ODOT will determine the appropriate permanent speed limit.
“Infrastructure alone cannot solve all safety problems,” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT’s Portland area manager. “We will continue to work with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Cornelius Police Department, communities and neighbors to raise awareness and educate drivers on safety practices.”
Speed is the third cause of fatal and serious injury crashes in Washington County. ODOT encourages all motorists to slow down and reminds them that speeding does not help make up time on the roadway.
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