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This project will increase capacity, improve traffic safety and relieve congestion on this stretch of U.S. 26. Once complete, there will be three lanes in each direction of U.S. 26, from Cornelius Pass Road into downtown Portland. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2016.

Project Information

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Stations

Learn how ODOT is working to add capacity to U.S. 26.
U.S. 26 will be widened to three lanes in each direction between Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue.
The two existing bridges over Rock Creek will be replaced by a new, single bridge.
This project will make improvements to the north side of the U.S. 26/Cornelius Pass Road interchange.
New sound walls will be installed on the north side of U.S. 26 in the Rock Creek neighborhood.
Learn about next steps and how to stay informed about construction activities.

Overview and Background

ODOT is working to add capacity to U.S. 26.

Project Elements

Problem

The stretch of U.S. 26 between Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue has reached its vehicle capacity. The population and employment in Washington County continues to grow, increasing the traffic demand on U.S. 26. Without improvements, congestion and related crashes are anticipated to increase.

Solution

This project is part of a phased approach to addressing congestion on U.S. 26. It follows earlier project work on U.S. 26 and is being coordinated with nearby roadway improvement projects. This effort continues a partnership between ODOT, the City of Hillsboro, and Washington County.

This project will:

  • Widen U.S. 26 to three lanes in each direction between Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue;
  • Replace the two U.S. 26 bridges over Rock Creek with a single bridge;
  • Make improvements to the north side of the U.S. 26/Cornelius Pass Road interchange; and
  • Add a sound wall to the north side of U.S. 26 in the Rock Creek area.

You can learn more about these four project elements on the following pages.

U.S. 26 Highway Widening

U.S. 26 will be widened to three lanes in each direction between Cornelius Pass Road and 185th Avenue.

Improvement Summary

Once complete, there will be three travel lanes in each direction from downtown Portland to Cornelius Pass Road. Most of the highway widening will occur in the highway median; highway shoulders will also be widened.

Cable and concrete barriers will be added to the highway median.

Related Construction Impacts

  • There will be no daytime lane closures on U.S. 26.
  • There will be occasional nighttime lane closures and/or full ramp closures on the U.S. 26 on- and off-ramps, as well as traffic shifts as work moves from the center median to the shoulder.
  • Nighttime noise may be audible to nearby residents.

Rock Creek Bridges

The two existing bridges over Rock Creek will be replaced by a new, single bridge.

Improvement Summary

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Technology will be used to replace the bridges over Rock Creek. This approach reduces onsite construction time by building bridge elements offsite. This has the advantage of reducing traffic impacts and reducing the overall duration of construction. When construction is completed, the trail below the bridge will be fully illuminated to ensure a comfortable experience for pathway users.

Related Construction Impacts

The project team recognizes that the Rock Creek trail is an important connection for trail users and commuters who need to cross the highway, and it will be kept open as much as possible during construction.

  • A containment system will be in place that to prevent construction materials from falling onto the path and into the waterway.
  • Temporary lighting will be used until permanent lighting can be installed.
  • There will be intermittent flagging on the trail with some short delays for trail users. Complete trail closures will be limited to two weekends and six nighttime closures. Signed detours will be posted during trail closures.
  • There will be traffic shifts on U.S. 26 during the phased construction of the bridge.

Cornelius Pass Road Interchange

ODOT will improve the north side of the U.S. 26/Cornelius Pass Road interchange. Washington County and the City of Hillsboro are making improvements to Cornelius Pass Road and ramps on the south side of the interchange as part of a separate project.

Improvement Summary

  • Cornelius Pass Road southbound will be widened approaching the interchange, including a dedicated right turn lane for the U.S. 26 westbound on-ramp.
  • Westbound ramps will be reconfigured to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists
  • An additional lane will be added to the to the U.S. 26 westbound off-ramp to Cornelius Pass Road southbound, and a signalized right turn onto southbound Cornelius Pass Road will be added.

This project is being closely coordinated with a separate Washington County and City of Hillsboro project that is making improvements to Cornelius Pass Road and ramps on the south side of the interchange.

Related Construction Impacts

  • There will be some intermittent lane closures on Cornelius Pass Road during construction.
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Sound Walls

New sound walls will be installed on the north side of U.S. 26 in the Rock Creek neighborhood.

Improvement Summary

New sound walls will help reduce highway noise entering the neighborhood.

  • Sound walls will be 12-14 feet in height and located approximately 3-4 feet from the property lines.
  • Walls will be similar in size and appearance to the existing noise wall to the east.
  • The ends of the walls will be secured with fencing to limit access between the wall and private fences.

Related Construction Impacts

  • The project will always work to minimize noise, though some night work is necessary and nighttime noise may be audible to nearby residents.
  • There be no related impacts to U.S. 26 during the sound wall construction.

Next Steps / Stay Involved

Learn about next steps and how to stay informed about construction activities.

Schedule and Construction Impacts

Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2016 and continue through the end of 2018. During construction, expect:

  • Nighttime lane closures on U.S. 26 and on- and off-ramps
  • Traffic shifts on U.S. 26 as work moves from the center median to the shoulder
  • Sound wall construction on north side of U.S. 26
  • Short-term impacts to Rock Creek Trail as new Rock Creek Bridge is built
  • Intermittent lane closures on Cornelius Pass Road
  • Nighttime noise may be audible to nearby residents

Stay Informed

  • Once construction begins, learn how construction will affect you by visiting at www.TripCheck.com or by dialing 511
  • Construction updates will be posted on the project website:www.CornPass185.org.
  • You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook @OregonDOT
  • For more information contact, Lili Boicourt, ODOT Community Affairs, at 503-731-8247.

Questions

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