| U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway) Modernization Project: Cornell Road to 185th Avenue |
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| Project Information |
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The existing section of U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway) between Cornell Rd. and 185th Ave. is inadequate to meet the current or long-term capacity needs of the Sunset Corridor. A 2010 project is planned to add an additional travel lane in both directions on U.S. 26 from Cornell Road to 185th Avenue. Once complete, there will be three lanes in each direction from downtown Portland to 185th Avenue. This project will provide congestion relief and enhance access to commercial, industrial, and residential properties in Washington County.
Highway widening will take place on the outside (right) shoulders. Project elements include:
• Building an additional travel lane on U.S. 26 in both directions between Cornell Rd. and 185th Ave.
• Widening left and right shoulders
• Adding cable barrier in the center median
• Upgrading signs
The project is funded with a combination of federal, state, and county dollars. The Oregon Legislature provided $20 million through the 2009 Jobs and Transportation Act. The estimated total cost for the project is $29 million.
Schedule
Construction is planned to begin summer 2010 and completed fall 2011.
Traffic Impacts
The high traffic volumes on U.S. 26 require that all lanes be open without restrictions during daytime hours. Closing the lanes during the day would create backups and serious safety concerns. As a result, much of the work that will impact traffic will take place during nighttime hours when traffic volumes are lower. Motorists will experience single and double lane closures on the highway and ramps during the overnight work hours, as early as 7:30 p.m., seven days a week. As much as possible, daytime work will take place outside the travel lanes behind barriers.
Nighttime Noise
Nighttime construction noise may be audible to residents living along the project corridor. It is ODOT’s intent to keep those nearest the work notified of nighttime, noise-generating activities. Once construction begins, a phone number will be distributed for reporting noise problems or incidents requiring immediate attention.
This web site will link to weekly traffic impact information once construction begins and provide updates to the schedule throughout the duration of the project.
Look here for a map of the project area.
Thank you to those who attended the November 18 open house on this project. We appreciated your attendance and feedback.
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| ODOT Contact Information |
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Lili Gordon, ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator
503-731-8247
Lili.D.Gordon@odot.state.or.us
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