New frontage road along OR 217 now open will reduce highway merging conflicts
Opening of the new frontage road between Allen Boulevard and Denney Road comes as the highway safety project nears its halfway point
The new traffic pattern for drivers heading to Denney Road from OR 217 south.
The new traffic pattern for drivers heading to OR 217 south from Allen Boulevard.
Nov. 30, 2023
Contact: Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452
The new southbound frontage road connecting the Allen Boulevard and Denney Road interchanges along OR 217 opened Thursday as the project nears its halfway point toward completion.
The frontage road allows drivers to travel more safely between these two closely spaced interchanges. This improvement reduces merging onto OR 217, reducing crashes and increasing safety and reliability in the area.
The frontage road replaces the Allen Boulevard southbound on-ramp and the Denney Road southbound off-ramp.
In addition, the Denney Road on-ramp to the southbound highway reopened after a lengthy closure, all part of the OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project.
These improvements mark major steps in the project, which will reach its halfway point in December. It remains on schedule for completion by the end of 2025.
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 to save up to 73,000 hours of travel time each year with these improvements.
What’s changing:
- The Allen Boulevard southbound on-ramp to OR 217 and the Denney Road southbound off-ramp from OR 217 will operate as part of the new frontage road.
- Use the frontage road to travel to OR 217 south from Allen Boulevard
- Use the frontage road to travel to Denney Road from OR 217 south.
The frontage road is one way (southbound only) adjacent to the highway. It will work similarly to the frontage road connecting Canyon Road and Beaverton Hillsdale Highway.
We widened both the Southwest Allen Boulevard off-ramp and the Southwest Denney Road on-ramp to accommodate the increased traffic on those two ramps. Drivers are still able to access Allen Boulevard, Denney Road and OR 217 using the frontage road.
Over the last two years, we’ve completed over 80% of the groundwork for the new auxiliary lanes along OR 217. Crews excavated old pavement and built up the foundations for the future auxiliary lane and safety shoulder layer by layer. When the project is complete, we will have five miles of new auxiliary lanes.
ODOT appreciates the public patience during the extended ramp closures at Denney Road. Together, we've taken significant steps towards making our roads safer and more efficient for everyone. We look forward to better, smoother and safer travel on OR 217.
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