We have some very exciting news to share! We are ahead of schedule! Despite all the challenges we’ve experienced since we started construction in summer 2019, we are now expecting to complete the project in early fall vs December 2021.
The project has brought a lot of construction and a rough ride for the last few years. But, a better Boones Ferry Road is taking shape, and the transformation will be complete in just a few more months!
Recent Progress
If you’ve visited the project area recently, you can probably tell that a lot has happened in the past month. Sidewalks are almost complete on the west side between Quarry Road and Oakridge Road. Landscaping is complete in the area between Madrona Street and Bryant Road! See some recent photos here.
A lot of paving is taking place this week, including several driveway approaches and travel lanes between Bryant Road and Oakridge Road. In addition, several concrete pours are occurring, particularly for the ADA curb ramps and the colored concrete panels near the McDonald’s intersection, Oakridge intersection, and the expanded sidewalk area along Riccardo’s.
Oakridge Road between Boones Ferry Road and the post office exit is being paved today, and remains closed until 6 p.m. tonight. Thank you for your patience while we reconstruct this section of roadway!
Upcoming Major Traffic Changes
Please note, the information below was revised with new schedule dates on 4/15/21.
Over the next two weeks, watch out for the following major traffic changes. Please plan extra travel time in the corridor. Several of these traffic changes are permanent changes, and it does take the traveling public some time to adjust to new traffic conditions. Thank you for your patience!
South of Bryant – Striping and Lanes to Reopen!
Now that the major work is complete in the area south of Bryant Road, crews plan to stripe the new roadway, including travel lanes, bike lanes and crosswalks, and reopen this area to two lanes in each direction!
The new mid-block crossing at Keller Williams/Lake Grove Shopping Center is almost complete and will likely be activated next month. Stay tuned for more information on this, but in the meantime, it will remain closed.
One “final” lift of asphalt remains to be placed over the entire project area. This will take place later this summer, followed by final striping.
Madrona Street Signal Activation & U-turns!
Once crews stripe the new signaled intersection at Madrona Street and Boones Ferry, they will then test and activate the new signal. This will also include activating the new permitted u-turns at this signal! This is expected to occur on 4/27.
Bryant Road Signal U-turns!
In addition to the Madrona Street signal U-turn activation, crews will also begin allowing southbound U-turns at the Bryant Road signal.
The raised medians prevent mid-block left turns, which have a high collision rate. Eventually, U-turns will be permitted at all five signals in the project area. To get to a business on the opposite side of the street, traffic will be able to go to the next signaled intersection and make a U-turn.
Center Median Work = Right Turns Only
Now that the bulk of the streetscape work on the west side of Boones Ferry Road (Albertsons/Chevron side) between Bryant Road and Oakridge Road is complete, crews are getting ready to switch their work zone to install the new raised landscaped medians.
What to expect in this area:
- Pedestrians will be shifted onto the new sidewalks
- The current southbound travel lane will shift to the far west side, abutting the new curbs
- Crews will set up their work zone in the middle of the roadway
- The temporary center turn lane will be removed between Bryant and Oakridge/Reese Roads
- All left-turn movements will be eliminated in to, and out of driveways on Boones Ferry Road
- While crews excavate and build the new intersection at McDonald’s, no left-turns will be permitted at this intersection. This is expected to last a few days.
Southbound traffic can use the U-turns at Bryant Road signal or Madrona Street signal.
Traffic Shift North of Oakridge
Once major concrete work is complete along the Post Office frontage and at the Oakridge intersection, crews will then switch to working on the east side improvements between Reese Road and Red Cedar Way. This will also allow crews to finish working on the new signal at Lanewood Street.
Travel lanes will be shifted to the west side of the roadway (post office side). One lane in each direction plus a center turn lane will temporarily remain in this area until work begins on the median.
A Better Boones Ferry Road for All
When public spaces are improved and made accessible for all, everyone benefits. The Boones Ferry Road Project is creating a safer street that provides benefits to all transportation modes and all people.
Watch project team members Crystal Shum and Stacy Bluhm share their stories about the vital safety and accessibility improvements that are a core element of the project, and why we are building a better Boones Ferry Road for ALL.
Why Brown Street Name Signs?
We’ve received a few questions recently about why the new street name signs being installed are brown.
Although green is the typical background color for street name signs; blue, brown, or white are allowed as alternative background colors per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (ref: Section 2D.43.18). Jurisdictions sometimes opt for signs of different colors in different districts as part of their neighborhood identity. The Project Advisory Committee selected the brown sign as part of the project.
The South Waterfront district in Portland also uses brown signs. The Portland Airport uses blue signs.
Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road!
In February, we featured The Bar Method and in March we featured Lake Music.
Read all about our featured businesses here.
Watch out for Dogtopia’s video feature coming soon!
#ShopLakeGrove Raffle!
Interested in winning a $100 gift card just like Bronwyn did? Enter our #ShopLakeGrove raffle today!
It’s easy to enter:
📸 Take a pic at a participating business (visit link in bio for the details)
📲 Post it on social (make sure your post is public!) or email info@boonesferryproject.org
🔈 Mention the business & use #ShopLakeGrove!
Remember, this raffle runs throughout construction of the Boones Ferry project and each month it starts fresh. Over 30 businesses are already participating!
Lake Grove Farmers’ Market Pilot Continues!
Thanks to the many people who stopped by our project information booth at the Farmers’ Market on March 7. It was great to chat with you, answer your questions, and provide helpful information about the project!
Remember, the pilot market runs through April on Sundays from 1 p.m.-5p.m.! More information: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/lgfm
