|
Greetings from the OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes project! Our contractor began work in December 2021 on this 4-year construction project to improve safety and reduce bottlenecks on OR 217 by adding auxiliary lanes, or ramp to ramp connections, between Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and OR 99W. We are also improving local bicycle and pedestrian routes in partnership with the City of Beaverton and Washington County.
As you may have noticed, there’s work happening in multiple locations on and off the highway. Read below to learn about what’s underway. If you’re interested in the most current traffic impacts, the project website is updated weekly and Tripcheck.com shows real-time traffic impacts.
Preparing for new auxiliary lanes
Crews are laying down crushed rock and asphalt for the new auxiliary lanes. You'll see this work on the side of the highway where shoulders and existing auxiliary lanes are intermittently closed.
 Recent paving for future auxiliary lanes
Managing stormwater
We are dedicated to protecting local water resources from the impacts of highway runoff. As part of this project, crews are installing new drains and pipes along the highway to funnel stormwater to treatment facilities. These facilities are designed to reduce pollutants before stormwater reaches streams such as Fanno Creek.
 New stormwater drains and pipes along OR 217.
The Allen Boulevard overpass is getting a face lift with upgraded steel bridge railings. This work is ongoing through July and is the reason for the restricted left turns in the Allen Boulevard interchange. New bridge rails increase safety by reducing the ability for vehicles to crash through the railing onto the highway below.
Sound walls
We are building five new sound walls along OR 217, all in various stages of construction. They will all be complete this fall. In some locations, crews have already drilled foundation holes, installed rebar and steel frames for support beams and placed four-foot concrete panels.
 Crews installing sound wall panels along OR 217.
Traffic pattern changes and turning restrictions on SW Allen Boulevard continue through July 2022
-
Left turns prohibited from the southbound SW Allen Boulevard off-ramp. Limited space for right turns for freight and large trucks.
-
Left turns prohibited from SW Allen Boulevard onto the southbound on-ramp.
-
Drivers impacted by these restrictions, especially freight and large trucks, are encouraged to use the neighboring interchanges to the north at Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway or the south at SW Denney Road.
-
Please do not make U-turns along SW Allen Boulevard in this area.
Ongoing construction impacts:
- Intermittent closures of existing auxiliary lanes on OR 217 in both directions. The on- and off-ramps will remain open, unless otherwise noted.
- Crews are transporting dirt and materials from the project area to ODOT property at the I-5 and I-205 interchange. Once the project is complete, these materials will be graded and seeded with wildflowers.
-
Sound wall construction in several places:
- In Tigard between OR 99W and SW Greenburg Road on both sides of the highway.
- In Beaverton between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Denney Road along northbound OR 217.
- Residents should expect to see and hear daytime sound wall construction activities. Sound wall construction in all locations will finish in fall 2022.
- Crews are working on the sidewalk on the north side of SW Hall Boulevard near SW Cascade Avenue for the next several months. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the south side while this work is occurring.
- Intermittent shoulder closures on the highway and ramps as well as local roads and overpasses near OR 217 throughout the project area. Various on- and off-ramps are narrower.
- U.S. 26 paving work: we expect another couple of weeks of work on U.S. 26 between Sylvan and Cornell Road as part of the nearly-finished paving project. This includes nighttime lane closures on U.S. 26 and on the ramps between U.S. 26 and OR 217.
-
Willamette Water Supply is updating pipelines in the OR 217 project area. Please check their project website for the most up-to-date information about traffic impacts.
 |
|
-
Slow down, especially at night. Speed reductions are in effect in work zones. There is also increased speed enforcement throughout the corridor.
- Please be respectful of our crews when traveling through the work zone. Objects thrown out of vehicles are dangerous to workers.
-
Please do not make U-turns along SW Allen Boulevard near OR 217.
|
The OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project will construct auxiliary lanes in both directions of OR 217 between Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and OR 99W. Auxiliary lanes are ramp-to-ramp connections on the highway that help reduce congestion by giving drivers more space and time to merge safely. This decreases conflicts, improves safety and the flow of traffic, and ultimately allows the existing lanes to work more efficiently. We expect up to 73,000 hours of travel time saved each year with these improvements.
We aren't just making improvements to the highway itself. We also need to make the area surrounding OR 217 safer for all users. In partnership with the City of Beaverton and Washington County, we are making targeted improvements to local bicycle and pedestrian routes.
Learn more about this project and stay up-to-date with current traffic impacts by visiting the project website.
|
