UPDATES

As we are now entering winter and anticipating a more frequent dose of rain, the contractor has reduced the number of crews working on the roadway.  In all likelihood, they will maintain this reduced crew level until weather warms up and allows for more work in March/April 2010.  Regardless, there is still a lot that will get completed in the next couple months. 

The base lift of asphalt pavement has been placed for most of the roadway, with just the segment between Rock Creek Court and the new roundabout incomplete.  The contractor is currently working on placement and compaction of base rock in that segment, and expects (weather permitting) to complete base-lift paving work by the second week of December.  They are finishing up concrete curbs and medians in the north portion of the project, and will begin on planters and sidewalks.  This work will take much of the winter to complete.  Landscapers will be completing the landscaping work on the north and south segments of the project this winter.  Winter is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs, as the plant is in a dormant growth stage, and there is plenty of water and cooler weather to allow roots to become established through the spring.

Also, over the next couple months, they contractor will be constructing the concrete roundabout.  The roundabout will be constructed in stages, as the concrete will take a couple of weeks to reach full strength and cannot be driven on during this time.  This work is expected to begin in December, and hopefully be completed by February or March.  Traffic for local residents will be provided at all stages, but may require specific routes around the sections under construction.  

While the roadway does have a base lift of asphalt, and looks ready for driving on, please keep in mind that it is still a closed construction project.  The final lift of asphalt has not been paved (and likely will not be paved before late spring).  There are manholes and other structures that are constructed to final grade, so stick up through the pavement.  There is no surface striping or street signs to direct traffic, and construction crews are still working in the area.  In order to keep a safe environment for the construction workers and local residents, please do not use the roadway unless you are accessing a local property.  It is always tempting to drive faster on a recently paved surface, but please keep you speeds down and watch for construction debris, workers, and changing traffic control devices.  The intersection at Rock Creek and SE 172nd will continue to operate as a flashing red, permitting turns between the two streets.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call the 172nd Avenue Improvement Project Hotline at (503) 652-2943.

The south portion of the SE 172nd Avenue project (OR 212 widening, 172nd Ave. - OR 212 to Rock Creek Blvd.) is now substantially complete. The contractor has finished paving and striping the roadway, and it has been opened to traffic. Streetlights and traffic signals are operational at both the intersection with both OR 212 and Rock Creek. Traffic is now allowed to access the roadway from OR 212 or Rock Creek Blvd., but 172nd Ave. is still closed to through traffic between Sunnyside and Rock Creek Blvd. Landscaping in this south portion will not be completed until the fall/winter season, when the climate is more accommodating to plant establishment.

The north portion of the SE 172nd Avenue project (Rock Creek to Sunnyside Road) is also well under way. The contractor is working on many segments of the construction, including storm, sanitary, and waterline installations, construction of masonry block soundwalls at the north end, road grading work. They are also working to replace overhead utilities into underground conduits and vaults. It is exciting to see this phase of work come together. Recently, the contractor has begun work on construction of a new box culvert crossing just north of Rock Creek Blvd. As this work will take place within a creek channel, it must be completed before the end of August. The east half was recently placed and the contractor is currently working to embank soil over it. Once this is brought up to finish grade, the road will be moved to that side, and the east side of the culvert will be installed.

Please remember that this road is closed to through traffic and at many times during the next year or so, there will be physical barriers (such as culvert excavations) under way that will prevent through access. If you live on the street, you will always be able to get in and out of the project, but your access direction may change. As you navigate through this work zone, please keep your speed down and be on the lookout for construction workers and equipment in and around the roadway.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call the 172nd Avenue Improvement Project Hotline at (503) 652-2943.

The south portion of the SE 172nd Avenue project (OR 212 widening, 172nd Ave - OR212 to Rock Creek Blvd) is nearly complete.  The contractor has finished paving and will be striping the road within the next couple weeks.  Streetlights and traffic signal poles should be in by the end of July.  Once traffic signals are operational, the intersection at OR212 and SE 172nd will be opened to the public, and traffic will be allowed as far north as Rock Creek Boulevard.  SE 172nd will remain closed to through traffic north of Rock Creek while the rest of the roadway is being completed. Traffic that has been using 172nd Avenue (from the north) to access the new schools on Rock Creek Blvd or the new Hood View Park on 162nd will need to use one of the detours around the project and access from OR212.  Note that although irrigation systems will be installed and planter areas will generally be ready for landscaping, vegetation will not likely be planted until later in the fall/winter when the weather is more suitable for ensuring better survivability.

The north portion of the SE 172nd Avenue project (Rock Creek to Sunnyside Road) is also well under way.  The contractor is working on many segments of the construction, including storm, sanitary, and waterline installations, construction of masonry block soundwalls at the north end, road grading work.  They are also working to replace overhead utilities into underground conduits and vaults.  It is exciting to see this phase of work come together.  Beginning in mid-July, the contractor will begin excavating and construction of a new box culvert crossing just north of Rock Creek Blvd.  As this work will take place within a creek channel, it must be completed within a 45-day window (July 15 to August 31). 

Please remember that this road is closed to through traffic and at many times during the next year or so, there will be physical barriers (such as culvert excavations) under way that will prevent through access.  If you live on the street, you will always be able to get in and out of the project, but your access direction may change.  As you navigate through this work zone, please keep your speed down and be on the lookout for construction workers and equipment in and around the roadway.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call the 172nd Avenue Improvement Project Hotline at (503) 652-2943.

Construction is well under way on the segment of roadway between Rock Creek Boulevard and Highway 212. The contractors have created a road alignment connecting SE 172nd to Anderegg Parkway on the south side of Highway 212, and are mostly complete with the utility work in that corridor. As the road continues to take shape, you will see some paving occur along Highway 212 to allow extra width for turn lanes onto SE 172nd and installation of signal poles for the new intersection. They are also working to finish up installation of underground private utilities such as power, cable, and telephone services, so existing overhead utility poles can be removed.

The contractor is also starting to begin work at the north end of the project. Hopefully, the weather will begin to dry out a little more, and the contractor will be able to work in many areas along the project at a time. Please remember that this road is closed to through traffic and at many times during the next year or so, there will be physical barriers (such as culvert excavations) under way that will prevent through access. If you live on the street, you will always be able to get in and out of the project, but your access direction may change. As you navigate through this work zone, please keep your speed down and be on the lookout for construction workers and equipment in and around the roadway.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call the 172nd Avenue Improvement Project Hotline at (503) 652-2943.

Construction is beginning. Nutter Corporation was awarded the construction contract and is eager to get started. In the coming weeks, you will see construction equipment moving onto 172nd Avenue. The road will be closed to through traffic beginning January 26, 2009. The construction will be initially focusing their efforts on the segment of road between Highway 212 and Rock Creek Boulevard as well as work along the highway.

Public Involvement will be emphasized as a priority during this project. As should be expected during all major construction work, there will certainly be some impacts to traffic and properties adjacent to the work. However, Clackamas County has always strived to create an environment of open communication between the residents and travelers impacted by construction and the project team. We will continue to do our best to address your concerns and minimize impacts. If at any time, you have an questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the 172nd Avenue Improvement Project Hotline at (503) 652-2943.

The design team is in the process of preparing construction plans for the improvements. Right of way acquisition has begun and will continue through 2008. See the updated project schedule for more information.