PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The 172nd Avenue project will add travel lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks, and provide a new connection from the south end of 172nd Avenue to intersect Highway 212 at Anderegg Parkway. The project will eliminate the two currently troublesome intersections of Highway 212 and Armstrong Circle, and provide a new storm drainage system, sanitary sewer and water line. Clackamas County and the City of Happy Valley are sharing the $30 million cost of the project.

Several intersections will be significantly improved with the project, including:

• New traffic signal at Highway 212/172nd Avenue/Anderegg Parkway
• Traffic signal at Rock Creek Boulevard (a major new east/west roadway being constructed west of 172nd Avenue)
• A two-lane roundabout at the intersection in the middle of the corridor, currently referred to as Access Road C, south of Big Timber Lane.

A number of sustainability/“green streets” elements are incorporated in the project, including:

• Retrofitting an existing culvert with a fish-friendly culvert
• Using a “green street” model, with native landscaping on the edge of the roadway to filter and hold stormwater
• Recycling portions of homes that had to be demolished for the project, and deconstructing two additional homes so that the materials can be re-used
• Installing “perpetual asphalt” so that future maintenance can be done more cost-effectively and sustainably by removing the top two inches of pavement, adding more oil and returning the asphalt to the roadway.

Construction Detours

Clackamas County will temporarily close 172nd Avenue between Highway 212 north and SE Sunnyside Road from January 26, 2009 to December 2010 to widen the roadway and construct improvements to meet current and future traffic demands.

Detours for through traffic will be on Highway 212, 142nd Avenue and Sunnyside Road. During the closure, 172nd Avenue between Highway 212 and Sunnyside Road will only be open to local and emergency vehicles.

The closure is needed so the entire project can be completed within two years and to ensure that the roadway is in place when the new Verne A. Duncan Elementary School opens at 10811 SE 172nd Ave. in September 2009. The County plans to open a portion of the road between Highway 212 and the new elementary school in time for the school’s scheduled opening.

Click images below for postcard and detour map.

Road Alignment Map

For road alignment maps, click here.

UPDATES

Click here for the latest updates.

Roundabout

A roundabout is proposed near the middle of the 172nd project. (Click here to view the proposed 172nd roundabout location.)

Modern-style roundabouts are commonly constructed at street intersections throughout the world. Use of modern-style roundabouts have been less common in the United States where traffic lights have been favored. In recent years, however, roundabouts have become popular in the US, including Oregon, since they can improve traffic flow and reduce chances for fatal traffic accidents.

For more information on the 172nd roundabout design and decision click on the links below:

• Roundabout Decision Letter
• Roundabout Public Comments
• Roundabout Decision Matrix

Green Street

A roadway that is edged with native landscaping that filters and holds stormwater is called a Green Street. Green Street designs are becoming popular throughout the United States and within the Portland area. A Green Street can provide environmental benefits as well as cost savings. A Green Street design is proposed for 172nd Avenue. (Click here to see the Green Street design for 172nd Avenue).

For more information on Green Streets click here.

Project Newsletters

• Project Newsletter (May 2007)
• Project Newsletter (January 2007)

Open Houses

Three open houses were held to gather input from residents and interested parties. These open houses were held on November 14, 2006, December 7, 2006 and January 18, 2007. The preferred road alignment was selected from input gathered at these open houses as well as comments received through the web page. The selected road alignment and design was chosen since it has the least amount of impacts to private property. No additional open houses are planned at this time, however comments can be submitted from this website (click here to submit your comments).