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Problems and Why There Isn't an Easy Fix

Summary of problems in the area

After gathering information available about the area and future growth – plus the feedback from you – we worked with the city to narrow down the key problems in the area. 

Click on the titles or the plus signs (+) below to learn more about the problems. 




ODOT and the City have access spacing standards, which are rules that say how far apart driveways and roads must be to keep traffic safe and flowing smoothly.​​​

  • Garden Valley Boulevard ​and Harvard Avenue do not meet ODOT's access spacing standards.

  • Roads and driveways are too close to the I-5 ramps.​​​

  • Lack of safe/comfortable bicycle facilities crossing I-5.

  • Lack of pedestrian crossings on Garden Valley Boulevard.

  • ODOT and the City have set standards for how much congestion is acceptable during peak commute times. ​The Garden Valley interchange is not expected to meet adopted traffic operational standards by 2045.

  • Traffic backs up along Garden Valley Boulevard and Harvard Avenue during peak commute times.

  • ​A review of the crashes in the study area indicate safety conditions are influenced by closely spaced driveways, limited walking and biking options and ongoing traffic congestion.

  • ​Most crashes happened when drivers didn't yield, followed too closely or couldn't avoid other vehicles in time.


 

Why isn't there an easy solution? 

There are several reasons why the identified problems don't have easy solutions. Some of these include:

  • Limited right-of-way.
  • Limited funding.
  • Some structures cannot be retrofitted and must be replaced entirely.
  • Existing geographic constraints.
  • Improvements need to meet federal, state and local standards.