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In this email:
Expect delays and traffic back-ups on and around southbound OR 217 in Beaverton April 26-29.
Crews will reduce southbound OR 217 to one lane for approximately a half-mile section between Allen Boulevard to Denney Road for one weekend, starting at 9 p.m. Friday night, April 26. The closure will be in place around-the-clock over the weekend, reopening by 5 a.m. Monday morning, April 29. All on- and off-ramps will remain open. Expect traffic slowdowns, delays, and congestion in this section of OR 217 south and the surrounding area.
 Southbound OR 217 reduced to one lane for one weekend between Allen Boulevard and Denney Road.
These closures are required to build a section of the new auxiliary lane on OR 217 which will reduce congestion by giving drivers more space and time to merge safely when it opens in 2025. Work activities will involve reinforcing the highway shoulder to support the future lane.
We know these closures will be a disruption for travelers and neighbors and we will work hard to complete this necessary work safely and as quickly as we can. If you are able, plan ahead, avoid the area or travel at a different time. As with all construction, the closure schedule is subject to change. Check tripcheck.com before you travel to plan your route.
It has been about one month since the Hall Boulevard overpass in Tigard (near Pfaffle Street) closed to traffic and crews have made significant progress. The old overpass was completely demolished during a weekend highway closure last month and the temporary pedestrian bridge that was installed before demolition is getting regular use. Crews are currently working on installing the steel columns that will support the new overpass.
Over the next eight months, crews will build retaining walls and new bridge foundations, install two spans of steel girders, pour concrete for the bridge deck, and add sidewalks and railing before opening the new overpass.
Increased neighborhood traffic impacts
We have heard concerns about traffic impacts in the area around the overpass closure. The first few weeks after the closure saw a surge in local traffic that was compounded by a weekend highway closure. Our construction teams and safety inspectors will continue to evaluate signs, signal timing, and work with our partners at the City of Tigard to monitor traffic to help keep everyone moving around safely.
We know adjusting to this closure has not been easy and we thank drivers and local residents for their patience as we settle into this temporary traffic pattern. We ask that drivers use the official detour route using OR 99W and Greenburg Road and stay off of small neighborhood streets as much as possible. And remember to follow posted speed limits and obey traffic signals and stop signs.
Later this spring, expect two lanes to close 24/7 on the Scholls Ferry Road overpass for safety railing and pavement upgrades. One eastbound lane and one westbound lane will remain open. The left turn from Scholls Ferry Road to the southbound on-ramp to OR 217 will also close during this time. Stay tuned for more information.
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.
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