Tualatin’s First Transportation Bond Project Finishes Under Budget

There’s a new pedestrian crosswalk and safer bicycle lanes on SW 115th Avenue now thanks to the $20 million general obligation bond measure approved by Tualatin voters in May.

The first of the City’s “Fast-Track Projects” has been completed – fast!

A new crosswalk has been installed at the intersection of SW 115th Avenue and Hazelbrook Road, with buffered bike lanes along 115th between Tualatin Road and Hazelbrook – near Hazelbrook Middle School.

The goal was to improve neighborhood traffic safety. “We are really excited that we could create a safer environment for people walking or riding bikes to and from Hazelbrook School,” said Jeff Fuchs, Tualatin’s Public Works Director.

Another benefit is slowing down traffic on neighborhood streets. The new stripes make the lanes look narrower, even though they remain the same width as before the project was installed. “Lanes that appear narrower often result in reducing vehicle speeds,” said Fuchs. “So, we have the added benefit of reducing vehicle speeds and increasing safety through the neighborhood.”

The project was finished for less than half the original budget – $10,000 instead of the $28,000 initially estimated.

A ribbon cutting event was held on Saturday, September 15 to commission the new safety features. The event was co-sponsored by the City of Tualatin and the Riverpark Citizen Involvement Organization (CIO1).

Four more Fast-Track projects are set to be completed by the end of December, with dozens of additional projects to relieve congestion and improve neighborhood traffic safety scheduled for construction over the next four years.