This month’s Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road features Dogtopia!
In March 2020 – right at the start of the pandemic – the Lake Oswego Dogtopia became the first location to open its doors in Oregon. General Manager, Pat Daugherty, says he was grateful they were able to stay open to offer socialization for dogs in a time when socialization was not really allowed. Blakely Thomas, community and marketing manager, feels lucky they were able to provide care and support for many of their pet parents who are essential workers, including teachers, nurses, doctors and grocery store workers.
Both Pat and Blakely love LO. They describe it as being small, but feeling big with many welcoming community members – including lots of doodle breeds! They’ve both enjoyed meeting all the dogs and their pet parents in the community.
At Dogtopia, it’s always the most exciting day ever! They surely can guarantee that for the dogs. Offering daycare, boarding and spa, Dogtopia has spacious, open playrooms. The dogs are placed according to their size, temperament and play, and they are always supervised by a certified canine coach. Each playroom has compressed rubberized flooring, individual HVAC systems, agility equipment, web cams, and they even provide flavored bubbles for all the pups!
At Dogtopia, they encourage dogs of all ages and breeds to have stimulation and socialization at their facilities. Blakely says that all dogs see benefits from daycare, and unlike other daycares, Dogtopia does not have a breed restriction, but they do have a meet and greet process.
As part of their Dogtopia Foundation non-profit mission, Dogtopia Lake Oswego just recently sponsored their first service dog for a returning local veteran. The foundation also provides youth literacy programs where they send dogs into elementary schools and kids can practice their reading with the dogs. In addition, the foundation provides employment opportunities for adults with autism: each location employees at least one adult with autism. https://www.dogtopiafoundation.org/
Blakely and Pat are both looking forward to the new sidewalks, benches, streetscape features, and potential new pups that can walk down to visit them on Boones Ferry Road! At Dogtopia, they have several employees that bike to and from work, so they are especially looking forward to using the new bike lanes. They believe the project will help with the small community feeling and assist other businesses.
Pop by today to check out their new facility and let your dog have the most exciting day ever!
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.
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!
From 6 a.m. Monday, 4/12 through 6 p.m. Tuesday, 4/13, Oakridge Road between Boones Ferry Road and the post office exit will be reconstructed and paved, impacting normal traffic routes.
Key details:
Oakridge Road will be closed to all through traffic between Boones Ferry Road and Quarry Road
A detour will be in place on Quarry Road and Douglas Way – watch for signage
Residents and businesses located within the closure area: please use Quarry Road to enter Oakridge
One lane in each direction is expected to remain open on Boones Ferry Road through the intersection
Access will remain open to all businesses in the corridor, including the post office – please use Boones Ferry Road to access business driveways
Plan ahead for extra travel time, expect delays or use alternate routes
This work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.
This month’s Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road features Lake Music.
Established in 1970, Lake Music is proud to be a longstanding local business that inspires people to enjoy music and encourages people to want to play and listen to music. Raised in Lake Oswego, Tim Smither is a second generation owner of Lake Music. He is honored to carry on the legacy his dad started in 1970, and it’s no wonder why: music is in his blood. Tim’s grandfather had a music academy in Astoria and his great grandmother taught music out of her home.
Lake Music is the hub for music in LO. They offer lessons, rentals, and repairs, and they sell instruments, books and accessories. They are also building a new recording studio at the store! Lake Music’s goal is to make music accessible to everyone, and there is no age limit – kids as young as three are taking lessons at the store. As Tim shares, anybody can make music, you just got to start!
Although it was a tough adjustment shifting lessons to online services, Lake Music used the COVID-19 quarantine time as a time for growth, transformation and rebirth of the store. They restocked the business, opened new accounts with distributors, changed the organizational structure, and rebranded the store.
Part of that rebranding includes a focus on four key words: Learn, Love, Play, Local. Lake Music feels these are great words to keep you happy, respecting others and live your life to the fullest extent.
Not only has Tim’s family been part of Lake Oswego for 51 years, Tim’s dad played a part in the planning and development of the Boones Ferry project. Lake Music is excited to see it actually happening, becoming a physical reality. Lake Oswego continues to grow, and they are looking forward to seeing how the project improves traffic flow. Tim believes the smartest decision was adding the new signalized intersection and crossings at the Lake Grove Elementary school to help ensure safety for kids.
If you ask Tim why he is passionate about music, he’ll say that he doesn’t know one person in this world that doesn’t like music. The level of connection you can have with music is incredible. Music has been around since the dawn of time, and Lake Music is happy to be part of a small slice of the benefit of music to communities and people.
Stop by to check out their revamped store, or sign-up for a virtual or in-person lesson today!
Lake Music 15560 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego 503-636-3666 Website
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.
This week is National Women in Construction Week, and today is International Women’s Day! Today we are showcasing two of our incredible women civil engineers leading the Boones Ferry Road Project. Watch and learn as they 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.
Due to inclement weather, the traffic shift that was originally planned for early February has been postponed to this week. Tomorrow, Tuesday 3/2, between Bryant Road and Reese Road, traffic will be shifted onto the east side (McDonald’s side) of the road, so crews can finish working on the west side (Riccardo’s side) improvements and widening.
Key information:
Crews will be removing some existing striping and placing additional temporary striping.
Work is expected to occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this time, expect some delays and plan extra travel time.
For up to two hours, the traffic signal at Oakridge/Reese/Boones Ferry will be turned off and traffic will be flagged through the intersection.
The temporary traffic configuration of one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane will remain in this area during this next stage of work.
Please watch for changing traffic patterns and plan some extra time through the work zone as the traveling public gets used to the change.
Work on the west side improvements is expected to take a few months to complete. Once this area is complete, crews will move to the center of the roadway to start working on the new medians between Bryant and Reese Road.
In the next month or so, traffic lanes between Oakridge Road (at the post office) and Lanewood Street will also shift. Crews will begin working on the east side improvements (Giant Burger side).
Plants have arrived!
In the area south of Bryant Road, the landscapers have started to install new street trees and plants within the medians, landscaped planters and stormwater planters! This work will continue over the next few weeks.
A new mid-block crossing is coming along!
As part of the improvements, two new pedestrian mid-block crossings will be installed. Work on the southern one is under way (located between Keller Williams and the Lake Grove Shopping Center). Check out the latest progress photos here.
In the coming weeks, this new crossing will be activated, along with the new signalized intersection at Madrona Street. These are two significant safety improvements for pedestrians, as they now will be able to safely cross Boones Ferry Road in this area without having to travel all the way to the Bryant Road signal or West Sunset signal.
New Log Bench
In early February, a progressive log bench was installed at the expanded sidewalk area just north of Keller Williams.
This bench was created and procured through a combined neighborhood enhancement grant by the Waluga, Lake Forest and Lake Grove neighborhoods. The natural wood bench was made using a large douglas fir tree that was slated for removal as part of the road widening. It was repurposed and transformed into a piece of interpretive art. The bench shows the progression from an original barked trunk, a partial bench and a completely milled bench.
Street signs are being installed
Check out the new street signs that have been placed on some of the new mast arms. Our project advisory committee selected the tree logo/emblem as it envisions the Lake Grove area and the transformation of Boones Ferry Road.
Lake Grove Farmers’ Market Sundays, March 7-April 25, 1-5pm Hallmark Drive (between Mercantile Drive & Collins Way)
The City of Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department is delighted to unveil a pilot farmers’ market in Lake Grove! The Lake Grove Farmers’ Market celebrates farmers and foodies alike, offering the finest food & agricultural products in the Pacific Northwest. The pilot program, which is sponsored by Mercato Grove, aims to evaluate community interest in a permanent market on the westside of Lake Oswego. The Lake Grove Farmers’ Market will be small in scale and adhere to all Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 guidelines, along with government health & safety guidelines. Face coverings required. Parking is located at Acme Construction, Dischinger Orthodontics, Go to Ortho/Summit Orthopaedics and Lake Grove Elementary School. For additional information, including a vendor list, visit www.lakeoswego.city/lgfm.
#Shop Lake Grove Raffle
You’ve got to be in it, to win it! Natasha did just that – she entered our monthly #ShopLakeGrove raffle last month while picking up her piano book at the Lake Music Center, and won a $100 gift card!
Remember, this raffle runs throughout construction of the Boones Ferry project and each month it starts fresh. Over 30 businesses are already participating – all you need to do to enter is:
Take a photo at a participating Lake Grove business (list is here)
For more information, visit boonesferryproject.org, email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 or follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.
This month’s featured Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road features The Bar Method LO!
Beth Hutchison, owner of The Bar Method LO, believes that nothing is impossible. After initially trying a bar method workout in 2012, Beth fell in love with the intricate intense movements and stretching. Beth candidly confesses she “drank the cool aid,” subsequently quitting her job in corporate America and opening her own bar method franchise in Lake Oswego in 2016.
Founded 20 years ago, The Bar Method is the original bar workout. Everything is based on dance conditioning, physical therapy and functional movement. Their core value is to empower people to be the best version of themselves.
Beth loves operating a business in Lake Oswego because she feels like it is a family. They get to know their clients, about their kids, and what’s going on in their lives and that makes them feel more connected to the community.
Once the transformation is complete on Boones Ferry Road, Beth is excited to use the extra signals and new crosswalks – not just for safety and traffic flow, but to get across the street to other businesses in the area!
Like everyone, The Bar Method has been hit hard by the pandemic. When they were originally shutdown in spring 2020, they immediately switched to virtual services. This happened again with the second shutdown in November, which continues today. They run classes 7 days a week, with multiple live options per day and they also offer on-demand classes.
When they were able to reopen to in-person workouts for a short period in 2020, they followed all the safety guidelines from CDC and OHA – no contact environment, everyone is masked, equipment is sanitized, everyone stays 6 feet away, and the instructors don’t touch anyone. They’ll follow this same guidance again when they can reopen to in-person services.
A fun bright spot from the pandemic was their kids bar program that they created. Elementary aged kids were able to partake in modified bar exercises, PE exercises and a mindfulness moment for them to stretch and decompress from screen time during distanced learning. They’re excited to bring kids bar back when they reopen.
Beth’s advice: if you’ve never tried the bar method before, try not to be intimidated, just give it a shot and take the next step! You’ll find an incredibly supportive environment where everyone is rooting for your success – whatever that may be!
Take a virtual class today, or go for in-person when they reopen!
The Bar Method Lake Oswego 15780 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego 503-305-5942
The remaining new traffic signal poles and mast arms have been installed at the Oakridge intersection, and new intersection at McDonalds!
Street light poles are being installed along new sidewalks between Madrona Street and Reese Road. Crews have been testing those in the area south of Bryant Road, and they are now activated and lighting up the right-of-way!
New sidewalks have been poured on the east side of Boones Ferry between Bryant and Reese Road
Irrigation is being installed, and planting soil is being placed in the new stormwater and landscaped planters and medians. Plants, trees, grasses, shrubs will start arriving and being placed in February!
New bike racks are in, benches, a water fountain and trash cans!
Metal lettering embedded in colored concrete has been placed in portions along the new sidewalks, and interpretive cutouts along portions of the coreten stormwater planter edging is installed!
Next Big Traffic Switch – Early February
Weather permitting, in late January, crews plan to pave the remainder of the east side (McDonald’s side) of the new widened roadway between Bryant Road and Reese Road. This work will be coordinated with affected businesses.
Once this area is paved, crews plan to switch their work zone to the west side of the road (Riccardo’s/Chevron side). Between Bryant Road and Reese Road, traffic will be shifted onto the east side of the road, so crews can begin working on the west side improvements and widening. This is expected to occur in early February.
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.
Work on the west side improvements is expected to take a few months to complete. Once this area is complete, crews will move to the center of the roadway to start working on the new medians between Bryant and Reese Road.
In mid-February, traffic lanes between Oakridge Road (at the post office) and Lanewood Street will also shift. Crews will begin working on the east side improvements (Giant Burger side).
Night Work
Crews are working intermittently at night along Boones Ferry Road between Bryant Road and Red Cedar Way, and also on Bryant Road between Boones Ferry and Upper Drive to finish installing stormwater manholes and pipe. This is expected to continue for a few more weeks. Expect delays during night work as traffic will be flagged.
#Shop Lake Grove Raffle
Have you entered the raffle? Enter today, it’s so easy! And you could win a $100 gift card to one of our participating businesses!
➡ Take a photo at a participating Lake Grove business (list is here)
➡ 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! And, if you are an eligible 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.”
Mercato Grove
Looking for the latest information on the Mercantile redevelopment at the corner of Kruse Way and Boones Ferry Road? Check out this quarter’s construction update here.
More information?
For more information, visit boonesferryproject.org, email info@boonesferryproject.org, call 503-697-6573 or follow the city on social media with #boonesferryproject and #followthebluecones.
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!
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)
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.
Coming your way: a safer, more appealing Boones Ferry Road for all