Highlighted Project:‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ NW Oregon Bike-Ped Upgrades at Signalized Intersection

Details

County: Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Benton and Linn

Milepoints:
OR 99W: 38.75, 21.8
OR 99E: 32.19, 36.22, 7.57, 3.34 – 6.24
OR 51: 1.3
OR 34: 51.04
U.S. 20: 13.75, 10.77, 10.58, 10.61

Estimated Cost Range: $10M - $30M

Anticipated Construction Years: 2029 - 2031

Project Description

We’re making safety improvements to 12 intersections throughout the Willamette Valley. These safety improvements could include upgrading traffic signals, signs and striping.

As part of this project, we’re improving a section of Oregon 99E in Salem by adding buffered bike lanes, enhanced pedestrian crossings, street lights and a section of separated path. This work will help address the lack of consistent bicycle facilities and connect residents throughout the valley to resources like the Salem Hospital, Willamette University, a tribal rehabilitation facility that serves around 50 daily customers, and other essential services.

Our goal is to reduce crashes involving vulnerable road users and vehicles by implementing proven safety countermeasures that will reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and people walking, biking or rolling.

Expected Outcome

After construction, intersections will feature new turn signals, modified striping, new extended curbs and rapid flashing beacons where applicable. Each intersection may have different safety improvements. For example, in Salem, we’ll add about two miles of buffered bike lane along Oregon 99E as well as enhanced crossing locations where needed.

Safety

Improving pedestrian and cyclist safety.

By improving these intersections, we will help reduce turning conflicts, enhance visibility and lower the risk of crashes involving vehicles and vulnerable road users. Enhanced crossings with rectangular rapid flashing beacons improve driver yielding behavior, and lane width adjustments and fresh pavement markings naturally slows down traffic reducing crash severity and frequency.

Reducing the number and severity of crashes.

Hardware upgrades, software programming, and modifications to pavement striping and signs, will reduce turning conflicts and improve driver visibility of pedestrians and cyclists.

Improving visibility.

Pedestrian activated flashing lights, increased and enhanced street lighting and extended curbs make pedestrians and other vulnerable road users more visible for people driving and significantly increases the likelihood that drivers will stop for people crossing the street.

Access

Enhancing travel options for people who walk, roll, use transit, or bicycle.

This project will create safer travel options by reducing turning conflicts, enhancing visibility and lower the risk of crashes. This will reduce barriers and promote walking, biking and rolling at these locations.

Mobility

Reducing congestion.

Adding new turn signals and updating signal timing can improve traffic flow. Updating striping to have multiple turn lanes will help reduce wait times for drivers turning left at busy intersections.