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Hello again from the OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project! Construction continues to progress and there are some larger traffic impacts starting soon as we build a safer and more reliable highway.
Eleven-day closure of one southbound highway lane and the southbound Hall Boulevard on-ramp
Crews are preparing to reinforce the highway shoulder on southbound OR 217 in Beaverton between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road to ensure it can support traffic when it becomes the future auxiliary lane. This will require some closures to make sure that crews have room to safely perform this work.
Here’s what you need to know:
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For 11 days around-the-clock, expect two significant closures:
- One of two lanes on southbound OR 217 between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road.
- The on-ramp from SW Hall Boulevard to OR 217 southbound.
- Both closures will happen at the same time and are expected to begin at 9 p.m. Friday, September 9 and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, September 19.
- During the SW Hall Boulevard on-ramp closure, traffic will follow a signed detour to SW Scholls Ferry Road and to the southbound on-ramp.
- The southbound OR 217 off-ramps to SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road will remain open.
This means that southbound OR 217 will be reduced to one lane between SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road for the whole 11-day period. Plan for delays on the highway and surrounding area. If you can, limit the amount you use OR 217, combine trips and/or shift your travel time away from the morning and evening commute. Check tripcheck.com before you leave for up-to-date traffic impacts.
As with all construction, the closure schedule is subject to change.
We know this will be a disruption for many travelers and we’re working hard to complete this necessary work as safely and quickly as we can. We appreciate your patience!
Pile driving work at Fanno Creek and OR 217
Crews have also been busy working on the west side of the highway to set the stage for the frontage road that will eventually replace the southbound SW Allen Boulevard on-ramp and SW Denney Road off-ramp. Part of this work includes building a new bridge over Fanno Creek.
Starting in September, pile driving - also described as heavy-duty hammering – is needed to hammer steel columns into the ground for the new bridge. This can be loud and is expected to occur intermittently for about a month on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
We have a 24/7 noise hotline for noise concerns: (503) 412-2349. We will update the project website with more details when specific dates are scheduled. This work will not impact traffic.
Safety reminders
- Keep in mind that traffic lanes have shifted in several areas throughout the project. Pay close attention to new barriers and markings on the road.
- 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 construction crews working in the project area. Objects thrown out of vehicles are dangerous to workers. Let's work together to keep crews and highway users safe.
Information about detailed traffic impacts for this week are listed online on our website at www.hwy217.org. This site is updated weekly and is the best source for up-to-date information including the construction impacts listed above and background about the project.
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.
 Asphalt delivered to OR 217 as crews build the new auxiliary lanes.
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