| Staley's Junction Improvement Project |
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| Project Summary: |
Plans are under way to build a new interchange at Staley's Junction, the intersection of U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway) OR 47 (Nehalem Highway). The new interchange will be an overpass and will eliminate the need for motorists to turn left from Nehalem Highway to Sunset Highway. The project has been divided into three phases and construction on Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in 2010. |
| Latest Information: |
Contact Lili Gordon to be added to the project email list: Lili.D.Gordon@odot.state.or.us
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| Project Information |
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 The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is in the planning phase for a new interchange at Staley’s Junction - the intersection of U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway) and OR 47 in rural Washington County. The turning movement from OR 47 southbound to U.S. 26 eastbound has been identified as a significant safety concern.
With the addition of the new L.L. “Stub" Stewart State Park 4 miles north of the interchange, traffic volumes at the interchange will increase. In a partnership with Washington County and Oregon State Parks, plans are developing to build a new grade-separated interchange to safely facilitate turning movements at Staley’s Junction.
View an aerial map of the project area.
Interchange Design Changes
At the public open house in April 2007, ODOT presented a preferred alternative for the project. Additionally, ODOT proposed a three-phased approach for constructing the interchange and making safety and access improvements along both highways. This phased approach was developed to match available funding. Since the open house, ODOT has conducted further design and environmental analysis refinements. These refinements have shown that the preferred alternative would impact wetlands east of Nehalem Highway more than originally thought, significantly increasing project costs. Therefore, the ramps and approaches were shifted to the west of Nehalem Highway, reducing wetland impacts and construction costs.
Three phases
The interchange improvements are planned to be designed and constructed in three separate phases:
Phase 1 (view concept drawing): Construct the overpass, eliminating the need for motorists to turn left from Nehalem Highway to Sunset Highway. Motorists will use the new overpass to go over Sunset Highway and then make a right turn on Sunset Highway to head east. Design work is under way on this phase with construction anticipated to begin in 2010.
Phase 2 (view concept drawing): Add a second lane on Sunset Highway eastbound and convert the intersection of Fisher Road and Sunset Highway to “right-in/ right-out” only (restricted left turns). Funding is not yet available for this phase.
Phase 3 (view concept drawing): Add a second lane to Sunset Highway westbound. Funding is not yet available for this phase.
Timeline
As part of the planning effort, ODOT initiated the Staley’s Junction Interchange Area Management Plan (IAMP). An IAMP, required by state law, is a document that devises strategies to protect public infrastructure investments. This may include evaluating current access points near the interchange. These policies ensure that future development does not hinder interchange function or shorten its projected lifespan. The IAMP Executive Summary in draft form is available here (note: this file is 4 MB). Design work should begin later this year; construction on Phase 1 is slated for 2010.
Public Involvement
To date, five open houses have been held on this project. Contact ODOT to be added to the mailing list.
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| ODOT Contact Information |
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Lili Gordon, ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator, 503-731-8247
Tim Wilson, ODOT Senior Planner, 503-731-8534
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