Why is ODOT replacing a stormwater pipe?
When we began construction in early 2023, we realized an underground stormwater pipe was deteriorating and needed replacement. We paused work and modified the project design to replace the cracked stormwater pipe that runs throughout the project area. From fall 2023 to spring 2024, we are replacing stormwater pipe running under the highway as well as building new accessible sidewalk curb ramps and upgrading traffic signals. Working through the winter months means we can complete weather-dependent paving in summer 2024.
Will you fully repave Oregon 99E?
We will repave the entire section of OR 99E from Berg Parkway to Pine Street. We will excavate and replace several inches of roadbed and pavement, not just patch ruts and potholes.
Will you address traffic signal timing?
We will add new detectors to all traffic signals in the project area to better detect when vehicles are stopped at red lights. This will improve timing and reduce delays on side streets.
The signal timing at Ivy Street, Elm Street and Grant Street is already coordinated. We are evaluating opportunities to include Berg Parkway and Pine Street to better help the flow of traffic.
Will OR 99E be narrowed?
The overall paved width of the highway will remain the same. The current striping for travel lanes is inconsistent and wider than the standard 11 feet in many places. Wider travel lanes can contribute to speeding. We will stripe vehicle lanes to the standard 11-foot width for consistency, allowing room in some areas to extend existing bike lanes.
Will it be easier for pedestrians to cross the busy highway?
New accessible sidewalk curb ramps at intersections will eliminate the need to step up or down at curbs and improve access for everyone, including people using mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters or strollers.
Many Canby residents requested more time to cross the highway at signalized intersections. We are installing countdown signals that show the number of seconds left to cross. You can continue crossing while the seconds are counting down. Several Canby residents also asked for audible signals to help visually impaired people. Based on this feedback, audible pedestrian signals are now included in this project.
Will bike lanes be added?
We will add new striped bike lanes between Berg Parkway and Elm Street, as outlined in the City of Canby’s Gateway Plan and Transportation System Plan. The new bike lanes will extend existing bike lanes and provide more connections to bike routes in Canby.
Some Canby residents expressed safety concerns about bikes and motor vehicles sharing the highway, and some are excited about consistent striping and new connections — whether they travel OR 99E by motor vehicle or bike.
Will intersections be improved so vehicles don’t drive over the curb when turning right?
Each intersection will have new, accessible curb ramps. Wherever possible, we are designing curb ramps to reduce the likelihood of vehicles driving over them and to allow vehicles as large as full-sized city buses or medium-sized cargo trucks to make turns. At many intersections, the curb ramps will be shifted slightly from their current locations, except for the east side of Elm Street and the southwest corner of Ivy Street, where private property lines and existing signal and power poles would make it too difficult to move the ramps to a new location.
We heard from many people with concerns about truck traffic at Ivy Street, which is not a designated truck route. ODOT will coordinate with the City to review truck route signs along the corridor.
Will fewer people run red lights?
Prior to construction of this project, another ODOT project in Canby will improve visibility of signals at many intersections along OR 99E. Adding reflective back plates to signal lights has been proven to reduce nighttime crashes, including those caused by red-light running. We will also add upgraded signal heads to make signals more visible even for drivers following large vehicles. Drivers can do their part by avoiding distractions and driving safely.