Thank you to everyone for your patience during the recent Bryant Road/Boones Ferry/Firwood Road weekend work! Reconstructing and paving this intersection was a major activity requiring a lot of coordination and resulting in significant traffic impacts. Crews were able to successfully complete the work ahead of schedule, opening back the roads and signal by late Sunday night!

Here are some photos of the work taking place.

 

On Thursday night, 12/10, crews are planning to remove the temporary signal poles and signal heads at the intersection of Bryant Road/Boones Ferry/Firwood Road. Work hours for this activity are 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The signal will be shut off and flaggers will control traffic at the intersection.

Please plan extra travel time during this night work.

Work Area South of Bryant Road  

The photo featured above is a drone aerial image captured in early November. It shows the progress taking place in the southern area of the project – new sidewalks, wider street, newly paved lanes, and concrete formed and poured for the new landscaped medians.

Crews continue to make great progress on excavating, forming and pouring the new landscaped medians south of Bryant.

Landscapers are also installing irrigation throughout the planters.

Over the next few months, they will start placing soil and installing the plants and trees along the new sidewalk planters and in the new medians. In addition, electrical crews will begin placing the new street lights along the sidewalks.

Work Area North of Bryant Road

Have you walked, rolled or strolled along any of the newly opened sidewalks recently in the project area? A portion of the sidewalks are now open on the east side between Bryant Road and Reese Road! Recently, brick pavers were placed near McDonald’s and Best Sushi, which will eventually be the corners of a new signalized intersection.

Weather permitting, crews plan to prepare the new subgrade and pave portions of this area between Bryant and Reese Road in the coming weeks. In early 2021, the traffic lanes will be shifted so crews can start working on the streetscape improvements on the western side (Banner Bank/Riccardo’s side).

At this time, crews will also likely shift the travel lanes north of Reese Road to begin working on the new sidewalks and medians.

Bryant Road Stormwater Night Work

Stormwater work is now underway on Bryant Road between Upper Drive and Boones Ferry Road. This work is expected to take about two-three weeks to complete.

Due to the high volume of traffic on Bryant Road, this work is being conducted at night with lane closures, and traffic will be flagged from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. While work takes near the intersection of

Bryant and Upper, the signal will be turned off and traffic will be flagged.

Neighbors, please expect an increase in noise and truck traffic during work hours. Thank you for your patience during this work.

#Shop Lake Grove Raffle: Relaunch in 2021!

Great news, we are relaunching our #ShopLakeGrove raffle!

Instead of filling in a physical entry card and placing it in a raffle box, we are going virtual! Starting January 1, 2021, here’s how to enter:

➡ Take a photo at a participating Lake Grove business (list is here)

➡ Post your photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram* OR email info@boonesferryproject.org

➡ Mention the business in your post/email and use #ShopLakeGrove to win!

Two winners will be drawn monthly to receive a $100 gift card to a local #ShopLakeGrove participating business of their choice.

For all the details, click here!  If you are a business and would like to sign up to participate, complete this survey!

*To be considered in the raffle entries, social media posts must be “public.”

Work Hours

Over the Christmas and New Year weeks, there may be some small skeleton crews working, but no major work is planned for 12/24, 12/25, 12/31 or 1/1.

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

Weekend Road Closure on Bryant & Firwood Roads 11/6 – 11/9

Watch this short video to learn about this work, or read more below on what to expect.

Starting tonight, Friday, 11/6 at 10 p.m., the intersection of Bryant, Firwood & Boones Ferry Road will be reconstructed and paved. This work is expected to continue 24/7 over the weekend, through 6 a.m. Monday, 11/9. During this time:

• Bryant Road will be closed to all through traffic between Upper Drive and Boones Ferry Road (local access for businesses and residents will be permitted)
• Northbound traffic on Bryant Road will be detoured onto Upper Drive and Reese Road
• Firwood Road will be closed to all through traffic between Waluga Drive and Boones Ferry Road (local access for businesses and residents will be permitted)
• Traffic on Firwood will be detoured onto Waluga Drive and Madrona Street
• One lane in each direction will remain open on Boones Ferry Road, but the signal will be turned off and traffic will be flagged through the intersection
• Access will remain open to all businesses in the corridor – please use Boones Ferry Road to access driveways

Please plan ahead for extra travel time or find an alternate route during this work. View the map for detour routes and closure areas.

Next Steps for Area South of Bryant

Over the last two weeks, concrete pours have taken place for the new medians and curbs along portions of Bryant.

Next week, crews plan to pave the lanes abutting the new medians south of Bryant. From here, crews will complete the new left turn pocket for the Lake Grove Shopping Center, and finish the remainder of the medians between Bank of America and Bryant Road.

Over the coming months, landscapers will start placing the plants and trees along the sidewalks and in the new medians! In addition, electrical crews will begin placing the new street lights, and the new signals at Madrona and Bryant intersections may be activated!

Area North of Bryant

Work is progressing well with concrete pours for the curbs, stormwater planters, driveway aprons, sidewalks, and expanded sidewalk areas north of Bryant. This work continues over the coming month.

In late November, crews plan to shift pedestrians onto portions of the new sidewalk along the eastside (between Key Bank and McDonald’s). This will allow Centurylink crews to begin removing part of an old, existing telecommunications ductbank that is located underneath portions of the current temporary pedestrian access route between Bryant and Reese Road. The ductbank conflicts with the new roadway, so part of it needs to be removed.

Bryant Road Stormwater Night Work

Stormwater work planned for Bryant Road has been rescheduled and is now expected to start in mid-November. Pipe laying crews will install a new stormwater line on Bryant Road between a portion of Boones Ferry Road and Upper Drive. In conjunction with the storm work, a private development project will also be working on installing a sewer line connection on Bryant Road.

Due to the high volume of traffic on Bryant Road, this work will be conducted at night with lane closures, and traffic will be flagged from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. The stormwater and sewer work is expected to take about three weeks to complete.

Neighbors, please expect an increase in noise and truck traffic during work hours. Thank you for your patience during this work.

Shop Lake Grove & Follow the Blue Cones

Please continue to support your local businesses in the project area, particularly this holiday season! Follow the blue cones and signage to access driveways.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic. Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

In observance of the Thanksgiving weekend, there is no planned work from Thursday, 11/26 – Sunday, 11/29.

Great news! Despite all the challenges 2020 has brought, we are well past the halfway mark with overall construction of the project, and on track for completion in late 2021!

Utility Undergrounding is Complete!

Last night, we reached a major milestone: PGE removed the final remaining overhead utility pole in the project area [photo featured herein]! All utility overhead poles are now removed and all utility cables and wires are underground within the project limits! Next time you travel through the project area, see if you can notice the difference. Here are a few before and after photos:

Undergrounding utilities has been a highly complex and complicated effort since construction started in summer 2019. THANK YOU to all the utility companies, property owners, businesses, customers, and the traveling public for your patience and coordination with this huge feat. There have been many challenges and obstacles along the way, but with collaboration, communication and teamwork, we were able to accomplish the task!

Upcoming Traffic Impacts – Bryant Road & Firwood Road Closure

Crews are making solid progress building the new raised landscaped medians between Bryant Road and Madrona Street. Concrete pours are scheduled to occur over the next few weeks for portions of the medians.

Soon, the intersection of Bryant x Firwood x Boones Ferry Road will be completely reconstructed and paved. This intersection work will result in a temporary closure on portions of both Bryant Road and Firwood Road. To minimize impacts, this work is planned to take place over one weekend starting at 10 p.m. Friday, November 6 through 6 a.m. Monday, November 9.

During this time:

• Bryant Road will be closed to through traffic between Upper Drive and Boones Ferry Road
• Northbound traffic on Bryant Road will be detoured onto Upper Drive and Reese Road
• Firwood Road will be closed to through traffic between Waluga Drive and Boones Ferry Road
• Traffic on Firwood will be detoured onto Waluga Drive and Madrona Street
• The signal will be turned off and flaggers will direct traffic through the intersection
• One lane in each direction is expected to remain open on Boones Ferry Road during most times
• Access will remain open to all businesses in the corridor – use Boones Ferry Road to access business driveways
• There will be periods where traffic will be traveling on gravel or rock while they rebuild and grade the roadway – drive safely

Please plan ahead for extra travel time or find an alternate route during these closures. Click here for a detour map.

This work is weather dependent and subject to change. Stay tuned for another update prior to this work.

Once Bryant Road intersection paving is complete, crews will finish the remaining medians between Bryant Road and the Lake Grove Shopping Center.

Grading, Curbs, Sidewalks, Planters & Road Widening

Progress continues on the streetscape improvements on the east side (McDonald’s side) of Boones Ferry Road between Madrona Street and Oakridge Roads.

New ADA curb ramps, curbs, driveway aprons, stormwater planters, and sidewalks continue to be installed. Ongoing concrete pours for these elements will continue over the coming weeks.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic.

Thank you to all residents, businesses, property owners, and the traveling public for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

More Information

For more information email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 or follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the recent wildfires.

As a result of the Labor Day windstorm, resulting wildfires and hazardous air quality conditions, most planned construction activities were delayed by a few weeks. Many contracting companies stopped work, and several asphalt and concrete plants were shut down. PGE, NW Natural and some telecommunications companies also pulled off the project to help respond to the emergency and restore utilities.

Work on the project has now resumed and all utility companies and contractors are back on site.

Upcoming Major Traffic Changes

Bryant Road Lane Shift

Starting next week, the contractor plans to pave the middle portion of Bryant Road between Boones Ferry Road and the Lake Grove Shopping Center driveway. They’ll also be paving additional driveway approaches and ramps in the project area.

Once the middle section of Bryant is paved, the current northbound and southbound traffic lanes will be shifted to the middle lane and the lane abutting Bank of America. This will enable crews to continue the intersection widening and streetscape work on Bryant Road.

Center Median Work = No Left Turns

Now that the bulk of the streetscape work on the east side of Boones Ferry Road (Lake Grove Shopping Center side) between Bryant Road and Madrona Street is complete, crews are getting ready to switch their work zone to install the new raised landscaped medians. Unlike previous temporary traffic changes, this will result in a significant permanent change.

Watch this 2-minute video to learn more about the steps involved with constructing these medians and traffic impacts, or read more below on what to expect.

What to Expect

Starting the week of 10/5, you can expect the following key changes in the area between Madrona Street and Bryant Road:

• Pedestrians will be moved onto the new sidewalks
• The current northbound and southbound travel lanes on Boones Ferry Road will be shifted to the far west and far east travel lanes abutting the new curbs
• Crews will set up their new work zone in the middle of the roadway
• The temporary center-turn lane will be removed between Bryant and Madrona Streets
• Most left-turn movements will be eliminated in to, and out of driveways on Boones Ferry Road
• A left-turn pocket will be installed on Boones Ferry Road for southbound traffic accessing the Lake Grove Shopping Center

Key phases of work:

1. The first area crews plan to focus on is the Madrona Street intersection. Crews will excavate the existing asphalt, prepare the subgrade and then pave the intersection. This will result in no left-turns in and out of Madrona Street temporarily for up to two weeks. This work is dependent on weather and paving availability. While left-turns will be restricted at Madrona Street, a temporary left-turn access ramp will be available for the Olson Memorial Clinic.
2. Once Madrona Street intersection is complete, median work will continue progressing north towards Bryant Road. The temporary ramp will be removed at the Olson Memorial Clinic.
3. Similar to Madrona Street, work within the Bryant Road intersection will require reconstructing the roadway. This will result in a temporary closure on Bryant Road. To minimize impacts, this work is likely to take place over a weekend in early November. More information to come on this!
4. Once Bryant Road intersection is complete, crews will finish the remaining medians between Bryant Road and the Lake Grove Shopping Center.

Removing left-turn movements will take some time for the traveling public to get used to. One of the primary reasons for the project is to improve traffic safety. Installing the raised medians helps with existing mid-block left-turn problems in the corridor.

Once the new signalized intersections are activated closer to the end of the project, U-turn movements will be permitted at the five signals – Madrona, Bryant, McDonald’s, Oakridge and Lanewood.

Thank you for your patience during these changing traffic patterns. Please plan extra time while traveling in the area.

Nearing Another Milestone – Undergrounding Completion

Utility companies have returned to the project to complete the switch from overhead to underground. All customer utility cutovers are now complete! In early-mid October, we expect the underground system to be finalized and the remaining overhead utility poles to be removed!

This undergrounding effort has been a significant part of the project since construction started last summer, and it has required high levels of coordination between the City, project team, contractor, utility companies, property owners, businesses and residents.

Thank you all for your cooperation and patience with this major operation.

Stormwater Work – Red Cedar Way and Bryant Road

Next week, crews plan on installing a stormwater line on Red Cedar Way between Boones Ferry Road and Boones Way. This is expected to take a week to complete. During work hours (7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon-Fri), Red Cedar will be closed to through traffic and a detour will be in place. Access to business and resident driveways will remain open.

Starting the week of 10/5, pipe laying crews expect to begin installing a new stormwater line on Bryant Road between Boones Ferry Road and Upper Drive. In conjunction with the storm work, a private development project will also be working on installing a sewer line connection on Bryant Road.

Due to the high volume of traffic on Bryant Road, this work will be conducted at night with lane closures, and traffic will be flagged from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. The stormwater and sewer work is expected to take about three to four weeks to complete.

Neighbors, please expect an increase in noise and truck traffic during work hours. Thank you for your patience during this work.

Grading, Curbs, Sidewalks, Planters & Road Widening

Progress continues on the streetscape improvements on the east side (McDonald’s side) of Boones Ferry Road between Madrona Street and Oakridge Roads.

New ADA curb ramps, curbs, driveway aprons, stormwater planters, and sidewalks continue to be installed. Ongoing concrete pours for these elements will continue over the coming weeks.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic.

Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

 

Construction continues to make great progress on the transformation of Boones Ferry Road and we are on track for completion in late 2021!

Remember, there are multiple crews working throughout the entire corridor – from Madrona Street to Red Cedar Way, and on side streets. Please plan extra time when traveling throughout the project area and watch for moving equipment and crews!

New Traffic Signal Poles

Have you noticed several new signal poles and mast arms have been installed in the project area? Recently, crews placed sets of poles for two of the three new signalized intersections at Lanewood Street and Madrona Street. What will eventually be a newly widened intersection at Bryant/Firwood/Boones Ferry also had new signal poles installed. Oakridge intersection and the new intersection at McDonald’s will follow in the coming weeks.

These signals will not be activated until later in the project, but it is still exciting to see them take shape and the transformation continue!

Undergrounding Nearing Completion

PGE has been very busy working on their customer connections from overhead to underground in the northern portion of the project. This will continue over the coming weeks. The telecommunications companies are expected to complete their switchovers in September, followed by the removal of the overhead poles!

All planned utility shutdowns will be coordinated with businesses, residents and properties in advance. Thank you for your patience and understanding the temporary impacts from this major operation.

Grading, Curbs, Sidewalks, Planters & Road Widening

Progress continues on the streetscape improvements on the east side (McDonald’s side) of Boones Ferry Road between Madrona Street and Oakridge Roads.

New ADA curb ramps, curbs, driveway aprons, stormwater planters, and sidewalks continue to be installed. Ongoing concrete pours for these elements will continue over the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, crews placed asphalt on the newly aligned Lake Grove Elementary School driveway (at Lanewood), and paved part of Bryant Road and Boones Ferry Road near the Lake Grove Shopping Center.

New Traffic Change Coming – Center Median Work

Another major traffic change is coming in mid-late September in the area between Madrona Street and Bryant Road. Once the new sidewalks on Boones Ferry Road are complete south of Bryant Road, crews will move the temporary pedestrian route onto the new sidewalk, and start working in the center of the roadway on the new landscaped median.

With this new work zone, traffic lanes will be shifted and the temporary center turn lane will be removed between Bryant and Madrona Streets. This will eliminate most left-turn movements in this area. A temporary left-turn pocket will be installed for access to the Lake Grove Shopping Center from Boones Ferry Road. One lane in each direction will remain.

Once the new signalized intersections are activated closer to the end of the project, u-turn movements will be permitted at the five signals – Madrona, Bryant, McDonald’s, Oakridge and Lanewood.

Stay tuned for more information and another update prior to this major traffic change.

Thank you for your patience during these changing traffic patterns. Please plan extra time while traveling in the area.

Speed Zone Reminder – 25 MPH

A temporary speed reduction to 25 MPH on Boones Ferry Road between Washington Court and Mercantile Drive is in place throughout construction.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic.

Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

Support Your Local Businesses

Due to the pandemic, we’ve placed our Shop Lake Grove campaign on hold. Please continue to support your local businesses. Follow the blue cones and signage to access driveways.

Open for Business List

To promote and support our local economy, the City and Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce have compiled an ever-growing list of Lake Oswego businesses that are open and providing essential services during the COVID-19 crisis. Local businesses are encouraged to provide information about their services, including hours and delivery/pick-up options, as well as any need for support, using a public Google survey: https://bit.ly/2yoyHuc

We also have a great interactive and searchable ‘Open for Business’ Map based on the list! You can search by business name, address, type, or neighborhood! To be added to the map, complete the survey above. You can also submit changes to your information by following the prompts on the map.

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

Construction is very active on Boones Ferry Road – there are multiple crews working throughout the entire corridor from Madrona Street to Red Cedar Way, and on side streets. Please plan extra time when traveling throughout the project area and watch for moving equipment and crews!

Undergrounding nearing completion!

Crews have completed installing the main underground joint utility trench in the northern area between Bryant and Oakridge Roads! Now that all the vaults and conduit are installed, PGE and the telecommunications companies are beginning their final switchover and removal of overhead lines and poles. We expect this work to take about two months to complete. Any utility shutdowns will be coordinated with businesses or properties in advance.

While the utility companies are working in this portion, there will be intermittent lane closures between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. One lane in each direction will remain, but at times the center turn lane will be closed. A bulk of the work will be taking place on the west side of the road (Riccardo’s side), outside the current work zone set up which is on the east side (McDonald’s). This lane closure is to accommodate all the equipment and trucks needed for the utilities to complete the undergrounding work.

New Traffic Shift Implemented

In early June, between Bryant Road and Madrona Streets, traffic was shifted onto the west side of the road, so crews could start working on the east side improvements and widening.

Crews are making good progress in the work zone between Madrona and Reese Road. They have been focused on grading the area. Last week they started pouring portions of the new concrete curbs and some stormwater planters. ADA curb ramps, driveway aprons and sidewalks will follow over the coming weeks.

Paving

In late July, crews are planning to place a base lift of asphalt on the newly aligned Lake Grove Elementary School driveway (at Lanewood). Paving is also planned for part of Bryant Road near the intersection (Bank of America side), and the newly widened area between Bryant and Madrona (east side).

Center Median Work

Once the sidewalks are complete and the asphalt is placed south of the Bryant Road intersection, crews plan to switch traffic again in order to start working on the center median. This is expected to begin sometime in August, and take a few months to complete (between Bryant and Madrona).

Following this work in the fall, crews hope to activate the new signals and mid-block crossing in the southern portion, and install the final landscaping.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic.

Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

Support Your Local Businesses

Due to the pandemic and stay home order implemented in March, we placed our Shop Lake Grove raffle and featured business profile on hold.

Good news, we expect to reactivate our featured business videos starting next month. The raffle is still on hold. But we continue to encourage you to support our local businesses.

Open for Business List

To promote and support our local economy, the City and Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce have compiled an ever-growing list of Lake Oswego businesses that are open and providing essential services during the COVID-19 crisis. Local businesses are encouraged to provide information about their services, including hours and delivery/pick-up options, as well as any need for support, using a public Google survey: https://bit.ly/2yoyHuc

We also have a great interactive and searchable ‘Open for Business’ Map based on the list! You can search by business name, address, type, or neighborhood! To be added to the map, complete the survey above. You can also submit changes to your information by following the prompts on the map.

Follow the Blue Cones

Please continue to support your local businesses. Follow the blue cones and signage to access driveways.

New Business Grants Available – Open July 20

Through a generous $35,000 award from Business Oregon, the City of Lake Oswego is offering a NEW round of grants to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key information:

• Applications open ‪July 20 at 8 a.m.
• Grants start at $2,500 per business
• Businesses must have a current LO business license
• 501c non-profits are eligible
• Minority-owned and woman-owned businesses, as well as sole proprietorships, are strongly encouraged to apply
• Funds are available on first come, first serve basis
• Applications and information are available in six languages (Chinese, English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese)

Visit www.ci.oswego.or.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/business-assistance-grants for more information on eligibility requirements.

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

An Exciting Partial Milestone!

Notice anything different recently, in the area on Boones Ferry Road south of Bryant Road? The overhead utility poles are gone!

In mid-May, PGE and telecommunications utilities completed their service switchovers and removed the overhead poles between Madrona and Bryant. While we’re still progressing in the northern portion with undergrounding, it is exciting to see this partial milestone occur in this southern portion of the project!

Watch this quick video recap!

Crews continue installing the main underground joint utility trench in the northern portion.

They expect to complete this work in the next month or so. Once all the vaults and conduit are installed in this portion, the utility companies will return to begin their final switchover!

Temporary Traffic Signal – Bryant x Boones Ferry x Firwood

After the utility poles were removed in the southern portion, crews were able to install a new temporary traffic signal at the Bryant x Boones Ferry x Firwood intersection.

This is needed in order to switch travel lanes and continue work in the south. It will also allow crews to deactivate and remove the existing signal and begin installing the new traffic signal poles at this widened intersection.

New Traffic Switch – Scheduled for Thursday Night 6/4

Weather permitting, starting Thursday night 6/4, the work zone south of Bryant Road is expected to change. Between Bryant Road and Madrona Streets, traffic will be shifted onto the west side of the road, so crews can begin working on the east side improvements and widening. Watch the video to learn more.

The temporary traffic configuration of one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane will remain.  Some existing striping will be removed and new temporary striping placed. Please watch for changing traffic patterns and plan some extra time through the work zone as the traveling public gets used to the change.

Crews expect to begin demolishing the existing sidewalks and pavement to prepare for widening in this area the week beginning 6/8.

Other Miscellaneous Work

• Forming and pouring concrete for new curbs, gutters, sidewalks and stormwater planters on the east side (McDonald’s) between Bryant and Reese Road is expected to occur over the coming months.
• Handrail is being installed on some retaining walls.

• Quarry Road between Boones Ferry Road and Oakridge Road remains closed. Crews are working on the traffic island and plan to pave the area in mid-June.

• The newly installed waterline in the area between Bryant and Reese Road is being pressure tested. Installation of new water meters will follow.
• NW Natural is progressing with relocating their gas line north of Reese Road. Once this is complete, crews will continue installing the waterline north of Reese Road.
• Crews are making progress installing portions of stormwater and water lines in the most northern section of the project, and stormwater facility planters on Red Cedar Way, Lanewood Street, and on Boones Ferry Road between Douglas Way and Lanewood Street.
• Stormwater work on Bryant Road remains. Once this is complete, crews can complete the widening on Bryant as it approaches Boones Ferry Road.

Work Hours

Ongoing day work and intermittent night work continues throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Any night work occurring in or near the signalized intersections requires flagged traffic. Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

Follow the Blue Cones

Please continue to support your local businesses. Follow the blue cones and signage to access driveways.

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

This is a long overdue update. Please know although we haven’t sent an update out in a while, things have not slowed down on the project. In fact, they have ramped up dramatically since early March.

COVID-19 and Construction

Under the governor’s stay home save lives executive order, your road construction is considered an essential operation. Our goal has been to continue making progress every day on essential infrastructure that is part of the Boones Ferry Road project improvements. We are thankful to provide work for our contractors and deliver vital services to the community. Stormwater systems, water lines, utilities, roadway pavement, traffic control devices, lighting, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks – all essential infrastructure that are becoming even more critical during the current public health crisis.

Since COVID-19, our contractor and team have actually accelerated work in areas where they were previously restricted. Due to the school closures, the contractor has been able to begin working on the new traffic signal at the Lake Grove Elementary School/Lanewood Street, and begin realigning the school driveway. This work was originally scheduled to take place later this year during summer break.

Also, given traffic has been significantly reduced, the contractor expanded their work zone further north and has been doing more work during the day.

Project staff and crews are continuing to adhere to the executive order and maintain physical distancing guidelines in the field and site offices.

What’s been happening since mid-March?

A lot! Here are just some of the activities that have taken place:

Undergrounding Utilities

PGE has been on site in the southern portion between Bryant Road and Madrona Street, pulling in their cables, moving transformers, and has completed their switch over connections for customers to the new underground lines in this area.

The communications companies have also been installing what they can into their new facilities and switching customers’ connections.  NW Natural has almost completed switching over customers from the old gas line to the newly installed gas line.

While utility companies have been working in the southern area, the contractor has continued progressing north towards the school with the underground joint utility trench and conduit installation.

Stormwater

The majority of new stormwater pipe has been installed throughout the length of the project.

Water

The contractor has also recently installed portions of a new water line between Bryant Road and Reese Road. The contractor will begin working on the remaining water line installation over the coming weeks.

Sidewalks, Curbs and Walls

Sidewalks from Firwood Road to Madrona Street on the west side (Keller Williams side) have been installed.  Most of the walls on the project are now complete – two remain.

Curbs and gutter on Firwood Road, in front of Albertsons, along Quarry Road, and at the new Lake Grove Elementary School driveway were also installed last week.

Signals and Lighting

In late March, the contractor expanded their work zone further north to Douglas Way, including the temporary traffic configuration of one lane in each direction and a center turn lane.

Since then, they have started working on the new traffic signal at the school driveway, and realigning the driveway. Work has also continued to progress on installing the new street light pole foundations and illumination conduit.

What’s coming up?

Undergrounding

PGE’s next step is to remove the overhead wiring. Once PGE has removed their aerial wires, the communication companies will then be able to remove the remainder of their wires. (There is a hierarchy for the order in which the facilities can be removed). Once all the wiring is removed, PGE will then remove the poles.

The contractor will continue their undergrounding effort of installing the infrastructure (conduit and vaults) in the northern section, in anticipation of PGE and the telecommunications companies to begin their switchover. They are aiming to be complete with the undergrounding preparation work in the next month or so.

Once PGE is finished in the southern portion, they will likely move into the northern section and repeat the process all the way to the Lake Grove Elementary School.

Traffic Switch & Signal Installation

The contractor will continue work on the new signal at Lanewood Street, with the goal of having the new signalized intersection activated in early fall (before school returns).

Once the power poles are removed in the southern portion, crews will pave and install a temporary traffic signal at Bryant/Boones Ferry/Firwood. This will enable the widening work at the Bryant Road intersection to continue.

Pole removal will also allow crews to then shift the travel lanes over to the west side and begin working on the east portion along the Lake Grove Shopping Center frontage. Stay tuned for more information on when this traffic shift will occur.

Stormwater and Water Work

Over the coming weeks, crews will continue to work on installing portions of stormwater and water lines in the northern section of the project, and stormwater facility planters on Red Cedar Way, and on Boones Ferry Road between Douglas Way and Lanewood Street.

Sidewalks, Curbs, Grading and Walls

Now the curbs are installed along the Albertsons’ frontage, the contractor will be able to work on the sidewalk construction. Two retaining walls remain in the northern portion, and will be poured over the coming weeks.

Once the waterline and gas lines are complete up to Reese Road, the contractor will grade the roadway for curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the eastside (McDonald’s side) from Bryant Road to Reese Road.

Work Hours

There has still been ongoing day and night work throughout the project area. When work is occurring at night, traffic is flagged and shifted to one lane. Thank you to all residents, businesses and property owners for your continued patience with the construction and impacts.

Support Your Businesses

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the Shop Lake Grove raffle and featured business video promotional campaign are on HOLD. If you are a business that is participating, please keep your boxes stored in a safe place with the entry cards in them. We will revisit how to approach or relaunch this again in the future.

We will continue to support businesses and work with you throughout the project, and we encourage residents and customers to support businesses too! Many are still open or offering alternative options for pick-up or delivery during this time.

Open for Business List

In addition, to promote and support our local economy, the City has created a list of local Lake Oswego businesses that are open and providing essential services during the COVID-19 crisis. We encourage you (businesses or residents that know a business!) to add your information to the list by filling out the survey: https://bit.ly/2yoyHuc

The ‘Open for Business’ list is available on the City’s coronavirus website under “Business & Employee Resources.” Here is a direct link:  https://bit.ly/34ihezf. The list is updated frequently with new additions.

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

Inspiring Future Engineers and Contractors

Our Boones Ferry Road project team inspired future civil engineers and construction contractors last week! 20 Lakeridge Middle School students participated in an all-day, hands-on learning experience and construction site visit with the project team, consultants and contractors. Watch this short video capturing the day.

This special event was also timely to showcase our unique, all-female City project team (Crystal Shum, Stacy Bluhm and Katy Kerklaan), as it was National Women in Construction Week! Hard hats off to the wonderful women who work in construction, public works and engineering services. You are paving the way for future women and young girls in engineering and construction!

Multiple Crews Working Throughout the Project

Due to the nature and scope of this project, there are multiple crews working throughout the entire corridor and on side streets – both day and night. Please plan extra time when traveling throughout the project area.

First Base Lift of Paving!

In late February, crews took advantage of some optimal weather, pouring the first base lift of asphalt on the west side of Boones Ferry Road between West Sunset Blvd. and Firwood Road, and portions of Bryant Road, Madrona Street and Firwood Road.

Earlier this week, crews also paved a new asphalt pathway on Lanewood Street (between First Citizens Bank and Boones Way).

A final overlay of asphalt and permanent striping will be installed at the end of the project.

In the coming weeks, crews will begin tearing out the existing sidewalk and preparing for new curbs and sidewalk along the Albertsons frontage on Firwood Road and Boones Ferry Road. They will also be preparing for curbs and sidewalk on the east side of Boones Ferry Road, between Oakridge and Bryant Road.

Undergrounding Operation

Next week, PGE crews are expected to arrive to the site to begin their switch from overhead to underground power in the southern area of the project. They will switch over services, and eventually remove the above ground power poles between Bryant and Madrona (the first segment). Some of this work is taking place during the day, and some at night.

The contractor is making good progress installing underground conduit and utility vaults, making their way towards the Oakridge Road/Reese Road intersection. This work will continue over the coming weeks and is being conducted at night. While crews are working in or near the intersection at night, the signal will be shut-off and traffic will be flagged.

NW Natural Gas has also been installing a new gas line and connections for customers.

Please note, any planned utility shutdowns for customers will be coordinated by the utility companies, and typically occur after business hours.

Stormwater Work

In the coming weeks, the contractor may start work on some miscellaneous stormwater pipe, access holes and planter facilities on Boones Ferry Road, north of Lanewood Street, and on Red Cedar Way, near the Kindercare. This work will most likely be conducted with a single lane closure from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Illumination Poles and Signal Pole Foundations

The electrical subcontractor has started excavating to prepare for pouring signal pole foundations at the Lanewood Street (Lake Grove Elementary School) intersection, at McDonald’s and Reese Road. They are also installing illumination bases in the area between Bryant Road and Oakridge Road, on the west and east side of Boones Ferry Road. This work will continue over the next few weeks.

Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road

This month’s Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road features Riccardo’s Ristorante and Café Marzocca!

If you’ve lived, worked or visited in Lake Oswego in the last 40 years, chances are you’ve been to Riccardo’s Ristorante or Café Marzocca! Opened in 1980, Riccardo’s is a warm, family, Italian restaurant where patrons are treated more like family members than customers.

Watch the video featuring owners Georgette and Riccardo Spaccarelli share their passion for this community and for creating their own little part of Italy right here in Lake Oswego. They stay true to their Italian culture and cuisine, trying to turn your stomach into an Italian by using family recipes from Italy, serving only Italian wines and their favorite Italian coffee (Illy).

Click here to read more about Riccardo’s and Café Marzocca!

Shop Lake Grove Raffle Continues!

Our Shop Lake Grove monthly raffle continues!  Each month, we are giving away TWO $100 gift cards to participating businesses located in the project area. This month, winners selected Zupan’s and Riccardo’s for their gift cards.

Stop by one of these businesses to enter the raffle. Each month the raffle starts fresh, so keep coming back to visit your local businesses to enter.

If you are a business that is eligible and interested in participating in the Shop Lake Grove campaign, please complete this survey to sign up!

More Information

For more information about schedule and work hours, click here.

You can also email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 and follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.

 

On Tuesday, March 3, our all-female City project team leading the Boones Ferry Road (BFR) Project engaged 20 students from Lakeridge Middle School in an all-day event to showcase the multi-million dollar road project, and to provide an opportunity to both create and observe engineering and construction in action.

Leading the way

The City project team (Crystal Shum, project lead; Stacy Bluhm, project engineer; and Katy Kerklaan, communications and public outreach), also joined by Erica Rooney, city engineer, and Chad Maxwell, construction manager from Otak, Inc. kicked off the day by sharing their unique stories and backgrounds, personal challenges or obstacles they had overcome, and how they got to where they are today in their careers.

Rene Miller, construction assistant, and Dan Payne, superintendent from Wildish – the General Contractor building the BFR project – were also on-hand to share information, fun giveaways and support the kids.

Building a road

To provide the kids with a hands-on experience, the project team and Cheri Davidson (TAG Coordinator at Lakeridge) developed a small group activity with defined roles to “Build a Road” based on engineering specifications and plan sheets that resembled similar infrastructure and elements that are being installed as part of the BFR project.

The team provided materials for the kids to purchase, and a tracking sheet for each group to manage their costs. Elements included installing: stormwater access holes, storm pipe, conduit for underground utilities, new sidewalk, new roadway with rock and asphalt, lane striping and the option to install bike lanes.

The group learned there are a myriad of skills involved in engineering and construction – not just math and science – but a lot more problem solving, project management, and working together as a team to resolve issues.

All aboard the excavator

In the afternoon, the project team led the group out in the field to show them some of the real-life issues they deal with, and had them learn from our contractors about how they operate equipment and actually construct the project.

One of the subcontractors for the project – Turney Excavating Inc. – set up stations and the kids learned about some of the technology they use (GPS) in the field and how they operate different pieces of equipment. All the kids climbed aboard a loader and excavator, looked inside 48“ stormwater pipe and access holes, viewed the new sidewalks being formed, new asphalt placed, special artistic elements, and retaining walls that were in different stages of being constructed.

This was not only memorable and rewarding for the kids, but also for the project team, consultants and contractors who participated in the day. We hope it made a difference in the kids’ lives and their career choices!

National Women in Construction Week

This special event was also timely, as it is National Women in Construction Week (March 1-7)! There is still a large gender gap in the civil engineering and construction fields.

We celebrate the wonderful women who work in construction, public works and engineering services in Lake Oswego! You are paving the way for the future.

We are proud of our all-female project team leading the BFR project to success, and inspiring other women and young girls to work in Engineering and Construction! Thanks Katy, Crystal and Stacy! (pictured below)