On Thursday, October 19, 2023, the City of Lake Oswego was recognized by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), for 2023 Project of the Year for the Boones Ferry Road Project.
The award recognizes excellence, innovation and cooperation in the management and administration of public works projects through an alliance of the managing agency (City), consultants (Consor, Otak, NV5) and contractor (Wildish) who, working together, complete public works projects. The City received the award under the ‘Transportation’ category within the $25 million to less than $75 million division.
Superintendent Adam Deutsch (Wildish), CEO Tim Hendrix (Wildish), Construction Manager Chad Maxwell (Consor), Public Works Director and City Engineer Erica Rooney (City of LO), Project Manager and Communications Specialist Katy Kerklaan (City of LO) and Construction Manager/Inspector Dan Payne (City of LO) accept the award for Project of the Year.
“What a tremendous achievement to be recognized for the hard work put into getting this project across the finish line, which greatly benefits the entire community,” said Katy Kerklaan, Project Manager and Communications Specialist. “A project of this magnitude is never without major challenges, but we overcame those obstacles by working successfully as a collaborative team consisting of city staff, consultants, contractor, businesses, and the local community.“
On Thursday, October 7, the City of Lake Oswego was presented the 2022 Award for Excellence by the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) for our “Shop Lake Grove” business support and promotional program implemented for the Boones Ferry Road Project. The award recognizes progressive and innovative city operations and great services to its residents.
Completed this summer, the Boones Ferry Road Improvement Project involved completely reconstructing and widening nearly a mile of undersized roadway, to transform it into a welcoming, comfortable and accessible corridor for all.
With more than 200 businesses located within the busy commercial corridor directly impacted by major construction, the City of Lake Oswego took a groundbreaking approach to mitigate impacts to businesses by developing a robust business support and promotional program and engaging early and often with the community.
The Shop Lake Grove program included providing free promotional videos, media articles, social media campaigns, and a monthly raffle where customers could win gift cards to a participating business of their choice.
“I’m extremely proud of this unique program that we developed and implemented in-house, and the efforts we took to support businesses, promote their services, and keep them informed throughout this multi-year project,” said Katy Kerklaan, Project Manager and Communications Specialist with the City. “It’s fantastic to be recognized by the League of Oregon Cities for this program and it was incredible to be able to highlight so many small, locally-owned businesses.”
Lake Oswego City Manager Martha Bennett and Lake Oswego Mayor Joe Buck accept the award for Excellence at the LOC’s 97th Annual Conference on Thursday, October 7.
All work is complete on the project! After almost three years of construction, Boones Ferry Road has been transformed into a welcoming, comfortable, more accessible corridor for all. Features include:
a new streetscape,
wider sidewalks,
bike lanes,
crosswalks,
traffic signals,
street lighting,
landscape planters,
underground utilities,
artistic elements, and
stormwater facilities.
The project was very complex and had many moving parts. There were periods where multiple crews and utility companies were actively working throughout the project corridor, on some side streets, during day and night, and along business frontages for long periods at a time. It brought a lot of construction and a rough ride for the last few years. But, a better Boones Ferry Road has finally taken shape.
THANK YOU to the traveling public, all the businesses in the community, and Lake Oswego community members, for being extremely patient throughout the construction of this major project.
Thank you to the businesses who participated in our Shop Lake Grove campaign, and the community members that continued to help support them throughout the project.
Thank you to everyone who signed up for our e-news to stay informed and updated on the project as it progressed from design through construction.
Please take a moment to watch this video celebrating the official opening of the new roadway, and reflect back on what the corridor used to be, to what it is today! We hope you take a stroll, roll, ride, or drive down the new corridor and enjoy the benefits of the new improvements!
And check out some recent drone photos of the completed corridor here.
New Signalized Intersection at Lanewood Street and Lake Grove ElementarySignalized Intersection at Oakridge x Reese RoadNew Mid-Block Crossing at Wells Fargo and Babica HenNew Signalized Intersection at McDonald’s Signalized Intersection at Bryant Road and Firwood RoadNew Wider Intersection on Bryant Road at the Boones Ferry Intersection New Mid-Block Crossing at Zupan’s – Keller Williams New Signalized Intersection at Madrona Street
After almost three years of construction, Boones Ferry Road has been transformed into a welcoming, comfortable, more accessible corridor for all. Features include: a new streetscape, wider sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, traffic signals, street lighting, landscape planters, underground utilities, artistic elements, and stormwater facilities.
More than 20 years in the making, the Boones Ferry Road Improvement Project was championed by many area neighbors and businesses, and a core goal of the 2008 Lake Grove Village Center Plan.
Take a moment to celebrate the official opening of the new roadway, and reflect back on what the corridor used to be, to what it is today!
Celebrating the Transformation of Boones Ferry Road!
On Monday, April 18, City Council, community members, local businesses, City staff and project staff joined together to commemorate the transformation of Boones Ferry Road. The new corridor was officially opened with a ceremonial cutting of the blue ribbon between those well-known blue cones, followed by a walking tour of the project improvements! Click here to view more photos from the celebration.
Guest speakers included Crystal Shum – Project Lead; Joe Buck – Lake Oswego Mayor; Trudy Corrigan – Project Advisory Committee Member; Ken Sandblast – Lake Grove Business Association Chair; and Erica Rooney – City Engineer and Public Works Director.
The project has brought a lot of construction and a rough ride for the last few years. But a better Boones Ferry Road has finally taken shape.
Thank you to the traveling public, all the businesses in the community, and Lake Oswego residents, for being extremely patient throughout the construction of this major project. We hope you enjoy the benefits of the new improvements!
Improvements for All
More than 20 years in the making, this project has been championed by many area neighbors and businesses, and a core goal of the 2008 Lake Grove Village Center Plan.
Building a better Boones Ferry Road for all was part of the welcoming, comfortable town center vision that you see today: featuring a new streetscape, sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, traffic signals, street lighting, planters, underground utilities, and stormwater facilities.
From Madrona Street to Lanewood Street, this project has:
Improved safety and efficiency for people walking, rolling, biking and driving, with wider ADA compliant sidewalks, new curb ramps, and bike lanes.
Constructed safer, easier business access, with new driveways, additional traffic signals, and U-turn movements.
Improved roadway drainage and stormwater management – more than 40 stormwater planters have been installed in the project corridor, to help manage and treat stormwater runoff.
Improved sidewalk and crosswalk connections, with two new mid-block pedestrian crossings, expanded sidewalk areas, highly visible striping and pedestrian street lighting.
Created an attractive and interesting streetscape, by undergrounding utilities and incorporating interesting interpretative elements like the coreten steel edging cutouts, embedded sidewalk poetry, stone clad walls, sidewalk benches and artistic medallions.
We are so proud to now have a safer, more accessible and appealing Boones Ferry Road for all.
Final Striping Remains
Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been cooperating lately for final striping. We need dry and warmer weather conditions for permanent striping of the main lane lines on Boones Ferry and Bryant Road to take place. Weather permitting, this work will be done at night in the coming weeks!
Final Video and Drone Photos
Coming soon: a final capstone video and final drone photos of the project!
In late December, the traffic control devices and cones were pulled from Boones Ferry Road and the new roadway was opened up for the holiday period. Since early January, crews have been focused on finishing remaining punch-list, cleanup items, and miscellaneous repair work. This is expected to be complete in early March. Intermittent lane closures remain in place during work hours in targeted areas where crews are completing these final activities. Thank you for your continued patience while we finish the remaining touches on the project.
Mid-block Pedestrian Crossings – push the button TWICE!
Are you enjoying the new pedestrian-friendly improvements along Boones Ferry Road? Have you used the new mid-block crossings? There are two locations: one at the Lake Grove Shopping Center and one near Wells Fargo!
These crossings are different to others – they have two separate stages. This improves driver compliancy and breaks the wide roadway into smaller segments for pedestrians to safely cross the road.
A key safety reminder for pedestrians: Don’t forget to push the button TWICE to activate the flashing beacons – once to get across to the center median, and a second time to get to the other side.
Watch this video to learn more about these unique crossings and some safety tips shared by our traffic engineers!
U-Turn Movements – Cars Only
All five signals within the project corridor now permit U-turns – Lanewood, Oakridge, McDonald’s, Bryant, Madrona.
The new U-turns are designed for cars or full-sized passenger vehicles. Drivers are informed with the appropriate signs on the traffic signal that say “cars only.” Full-sized passenger vehicles, including larger SUVs such as a Chevy Suburban, will be able to make the U-turns if they navigate the turn correctly. Drivers of larger vehicles (such as trucks with trailers or delivery trucks) will need to plan their trips in a way that will allow them to access their destinations by making right turns. This is common practice for truck drivers who make deliveries in urban areas on a regular basis.
The U-turn at Lanewood Street is currently limited to northbound traffic only. This intersection was located outside of the phase 1 widening improvements, and therefore does not include a median or center island to help facilitate extra space for the U-turn movement. At this signal, a portion of the curb on the southwest corner was relocated and the paved area was widened to increase the available area for drivers to complete the U-turn. Additional lane striping will also be added in the spring to help provide cars an extra foot for the turning radius.
Speed Zone
Throughout construction, a temporary speed limit of 25 MPH has been in place in the project corridor. Once all work is complete and traffic control is no longer needed, the speed limit will be restored to 30 MPH.
Approximately six months after final completion of the project, a speed zone study will be conducted in coordination with the Oregon Department of Transportation. This will involve measuring the typical travel speeds of vehicles to determine if implementing a 25 MPH speed limit permanently is feasible.
What We’ve Built
With major construction now complete, here are some key facts and statistics of improvements that were built as part of the project:
9,000 feet of ADA complaint sidewalks
56 accessible curb ramps
23 crosswalks
2 new mid-block crossings
3 new signalized intersections
More than 1,000 cubic yards of concrete
9 benches
1 water fountain
6 embedded sidewalk text inlays
2 interpretive medallions
7 interpretative metal edge cutouts
6,600 linear feet of bike lanes
13 new bike racks
4,300 linear feet of water pipe
14 fire hydrants
44 manholes
42 stormwater planters
28 stormwater catch basins
7,100 linear feet of stormwater pipe
135 utility vaults
56,000 linear feet of underground utility conduit
48 street lights
63 driveways installed
5,500 linear feet of asphalt or ~1.05 mile
More than 6,000 shrubs, plants and trees
What’s Left to Complete?
Repairing some ADA curb ramps and concrete sidewalk panels
Finishing installing some miscellaneous curbs
Miscellaneous trench patch paving
Landscaping and irrigation
Restoration and touch up
Final main line striping – expected to take place this spring
After two and a half years of construction, the transformation of Boones Ferry Road is almost complete! Major construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year, with final punchlist and cleanup activities expected to continue through early February. Outlined below are some exciting milestones and an outline of what remains. To view all images and read the complete update, click here.
Thank you to the traveling public, businesses, property owners, and residents for your patience while we have been building these improvements the last few years. We appreciate your continued understanding as we complete the final closing activities on a complex and huge project that has had many moving parts.
Stripes are back!
Earlier this month, permanent striping was placed for the legends, arrows, and crosswalks.
Due to inclement weather, crews missed the window to install the permanent ‘thermoplastic’ main line striping. The lane striping that was installed is temporary. Crews will return in the spring to place the permanent lines so they can meet the warranty requirements. In the meantime, enjoy those beautiful new stripes on the new roadway!
Bryant x Boones Ferry Intersection
The long-awaited new wider intersection at Bryant and Boones Ferry Road is NOW open, along with the fourth crosswalk leg! There are now three dedicated lanes on Bryant Road as it approaches the intersection – one left turn pocket, one straight through, and one right turn lane. There is also a bike lane!
All four legs of the new intersection also have new crosswalks (previously, there were only crosswalks on three of the legs). This will help improve traffic flow and pedestrian access at this intersection.
Please travel with caution as you approach the intersection, as it takes time for the traveling public to get used to changing conditions.
New McDonald’s Signal Activation
The last remaining signal to be activated is the one located at McDonald’s. This is planned to be activated on Wednesday, December 22!
Remember, U-turns are permitted for cars at all five signals in the project corridor: Madrona, Bryant, McDonald’s, Oakridge, and Lanewood.
New mid-block pedestrian crossing at Zupan’s is now open!
One of the many exciting features of the project is drastically improved pedestrian access. Two new mid-block pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons have been installed along Boones Ferry Road, and they are both quite unique.
In late November, the new crossing located south of the Bryant intersection near the Lake Grove Shopping Center/Zupan’s was opened! Featured is a photo of the project team trying it out – Abbey Road style!
Watch this video featuring project engineer, Stacy Bluhm, and traffic engineer, Will Farley, share their tips for navigating the new crossing.
The second mid-block crossing near Wells Fargo is expected to be opened next month!
Landscaping
Landscaping crews have been working hard the last six weeks to finish installing irrigation, topsoil, plants, shrubs, trees and mulch. Major work is almost complete. Final clean up and punchlist will continue through January.
When will all travel lanes be back open?
Some good news is that all traffic control devices and cones are planned to be removed from the project corridor by December 23. There will be no work taking place between December 24 and January 2.
However, crews will return to complete the punchlist, cleanup items, and miscellaneous repairs on January 3. This means traffic control devices will be reinstalled for this work, but lane closures are expected to be in shorter segments in the project corridor.
We know this is difficult to hear, but the lane closures need to be in place so crews can safely complete the remaining items. Crews aim to have all punchlist work done by early February – including no more cones! Thank you for your patience while we reach the end of the project!
Fun statistics & a celebration to come
Stay tuned next month for some fun factoids and statistics on the new project elements!
We expect to host a project celebration sometime in spring 2022. More details to follow.
Do you live in LO? Share your feedback by completing the community survey!
The City is conducting a survey to better understand the needs of Lake Oswego residents, prioritize services and guide Council policy discussions. The survey is administered independently through the ETC Institute, and takes approximately 12 minutes to complete. Every question is essential!
Earlier this spring, the project was on track for major construction to be complete ahead of schedule, in early fall vs late 2021. Unfortunately, the project is experiencing what many industries are experiencing nationwide: a limited labor availability. At this time, we are now expecting construction to be completed closer to the originally anticipated time frame – by the end of the year.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we approach the light at the end of the tunnel and final closing activities on a complex and huge project that has had many moving parts.
Recent Work
In mid-late September, crews placed the final two inches of top lift asphalt throughout the project corridor, including portions of side streets.
Thank you for your patience while this major paving work took place (mostly at night).
Since the paving, crews have been raising many utility manhole covers and valve covers up to the final grade. Landscape crews have also been placing structural soil, topsoil and installing irrigation in the remaining planters.
Additional concrete pours and repairs have also been taking place, along with electrical work on new signals, pedestrian crossings and street lights.
Remaining Work through 2021
Miscellaneous Paving
Several trench patches remain in the area north of Douglas Way, and on some side streets. In addition, many private property driveway approaches also need to be restored and paved back.
Landscaping
Crews are filling the remaining medians and planters with topsoil, in preparation for installing the final landscaping and trees over the next few weeks. Please watch for shifting lane closures during this work.
Signal Activations & Mid-block Crossings
The new mid-block crossings at Zupan’s and Wells Fargo are expected to be activated once the final striping is installed, along with the new McDonald’s signal.
Concrete pours and remediation/repair work continue to take place for specific areas that remain, or where curbs, ramps, gutters, or sidewalks may need to be replaced or fixed. Please watch for shifting lane closures and traffic safety cones throughout the whole project corridor. Repair work is taking place between Madrona Street and Lanewood Street.
Cleanup and restoration activities are also taking place throughout the corridor. Lane closures and traffic cones will remain in place until the bulk of this work is complete.
Pavement Striping
Permanent pavement striping and crosswalk striping will be one of the final actions on the project. To minimize impacts to traffic, this will likely take place at night with lane closures and flaggers. This is heavily weather dependent, but is scheduled to occur sometime in November. Striping will take place throughout the project corridor, and on some side streets.
Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road – Final Feature!
It’s momentous: our final featured business highlights Casa del Pollo! Did you know, the authentic, homestyle Costa Rican restaurant has returned back to Boones Ferry Road? Pura Vida! Watch the video featuring owner, Jorge Zuniga, share their full circle journey and his passion for the Lake Oswego community.
This month is the last opportunity for you to win one of TWO $100 gift cards to a participating #ShopLakeGrove business! It’s so easy to enter the #BoonesFerryProject raffle and support businesses:
📸 Take a pic at a participating business (more than 30 are participating!) 📱 Post it on social (make sure your post is public!) or email it to info@boonesferryproject.org 🔈 Mention the business & use #ShopLakeGrove!
Click here for a complete list of participating businesses and raffle rules.
More Information?
For more information, email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573, visit www.boonesferryproject.org or follow the city on social media with #BoonesFerryProject.
While we are in the final stretch of construction, we can all still expect a few more major traffic impacts before the street transformation is complete. Read on to learn what to expect over the coming weeks.
Reese Road/Lake Grove Avenue Intersection Paving: 9/13 – 9/14
Starting Monday night 9/13 at 8 p.m. and continuing through Tuesday 9/14 at 6 p.m., the intersection of Lake Grove Avenue and Reese Road will be reconstructed and paved. During this time:
Lake Grove Avenue will be closed to all through traffic between Reese Road and Upper Drive. Residents and businesses: please access driveways from Upper Drive.
One lane will be open on Reese Road, with flaggers directing traffic.
Expect delays and plan extra travel time.
Final Permanent Paving: 9/13 – 9/24
One of the final major components of the project is the remaining two-inch top lift layer of asphalt. This “final lift” of paving is currently scheduled to occur the week of 9/13 and 9/20. To minimize traffic impacts, the bulk of this work will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Key information:
Paving will be taking place on Boones Ferry Road between W. Sunset Drive and Red Cedar Way, and on portions of side streets including: Madrona Street, Bryant Road, Firwood Road, Quarry Road, Reese Road, Oakridge Road, Lanewood Street, and Red Cedar Way.
On Monday 9/13 and Tuesday 9/14, crews will be grinding parts of the roadway in preparation for paving.
There will be periods where traffic will be traveling on rough ground, gravel or rock after they have prepared the roadway – please drive cautiously.
Up to two traffic signals will be turned off at a time as crews progress and rotate through each intersection.
Please watch for signage and obey flaggers directions. Expect delays and plan extra travel time.
Access to driveways will be temporarily closed when the paving equipment approaches each driveway (at night).
Residents and businesses should expect an increase in noise and vibration during the paving operation, as there will be a lot of trucks, large equipment, and vibratory rollers compacting the new asphalt.
Weather permitting, permanent lane striping will occur two weeks after the final paving.
Paving schedules are weather dependent and subject to change.
Remaining Work Continues through Fall
Landscaping
Landscaping installation resumes next week, and is expected to continue through mid-November. Please watch for shifting lane closures during this work.
Signal Activations & Mid-block Crossings
The new mid-block crossings at Zupan’s and Wells Fargo are now expected to be activated in late October, along with the McDonald’s and Oakridge Road signals.
Miscellaneous Concrete Repair/Pours
Concrete pours and remediation/repair work will continue to take place through this fall for specific areas that remain, or where curbs, ramps, gutters, or sidewalks may need to be replaced or fixed. Please watch for shifting lane closures and traffic safety cones throughout the whole project corridor. Repair work is taking place between Madrona Street and Lanewood Street.
Thank you for your patience as we embark on these final activities to transform Boones Ferry Road!
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 major construction of the Boones Ferry project and each month it starts fresh. Over 30 businesses are participating!
Starting Monday night, 9/13 continuing through Tuesday, 9/14, the intersection of Lake Grove Avenue and Reese Road will be reconstructed and paved. During this time:
Lake Grove Avenue will be closed to all through traffic between Reese Road and Upper Drive. Residents and businesses: please access driveways from Upper Drive.
One lane will be open on Reese Road, with flaggers directing traffic.
