Clackamas County Transportation System Plan approved by County Commission sets priorities for 20 years

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 11 unanimously approved a 20-year Transportation System Plan (TSP), largely following recommendations from the planning commission and staff.

"This transportation plan has evolved over more than two years with extensive public involvement," said County Commission Chair John Ludlow, "and will help continue to provide the safe and reliable transportation system our residents and businesses need and deserve."

The approved plan includes more than 300 transportation projects that were identified as being needed throughout unincorporated Clackamas County over the next 20 years, though funds are likely to be available for only a small percentage of the total.

The TSP also includes updated policies to guide development of the projects that:

• Look at the transportation system through a local perspective (rural and urban);
• Specifically address safety, health, equity and sustainability;
• Integrate transportation with land use;
• Address active transportation (bicycling and walking) and accessibility needs;
• Support the movement of freight; and
• Ensure compliance with national and local regulations, including a change of intersection and roadway performance standards.

The TSP was developed over the past two years with extensive public outreach and the leadership of a 22-member public advisory committee. The approved plan will now be drafted into an ordinance for the board to approve early in 2014 as part of the county's comprehensive plan. The draft text is at www.clackamas.us/planning/zdoproposed.html; the final text will be available at www.clackamas.us/planning/comprehensive.html.

For more information, contact transportation planning supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@clackamas.us or 503-742-4683.

Posted December 17th, 2013

Planning Commission recommends approval of proposed Clackamas County Transportation System Plan; Board hearings set for December

The Clackamas County Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed Transportation System Plan (TSP), with amendments, at its meeting on November 4. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for its consideration.

The Board of County Commissioners will hold public hearings on the TSP before taking final action in December. Two public hearings will be held in the Public Services Building, 2051 Kaen Rd., Oregon City: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed TSP at one of the public hearings or by submitting comments in writing, no later than noon, December 11, to Senior Planner Martha Fritzie at mfritzie@clackamas.us or 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City, OR, 97045.

The proposed TSP includes transportation projects needed throughout unincorporated Clackamas County over the next 20 years and related policies. The TSP was developed over the past two years with extensive public outreach and the leadership of a 22-member Public Advisory Committee.

The Planning Commission approved several amendments to the proposed TSP based on input received from community organizations and the public at a public hearing Oct. 28. The changes included:

• Changing a road realignment project in Mulino to working with partners and the community to respond to concerns about the safety of school children;
• Moving a bridge project in Molalla to a higher priorities because of flooding concerns;
• Removing a project for a multiuse trail (the Mulino Trail), and
• Moving to high priority designation the installation of sidewalks within one-quarter mile of schools in the Clackamas/Thiessen/Webster/Johnson road area.

Once adopted, the TSP will be part of the Comprehensive Plan, and Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO). The draft text is at www.clackamas.us/planning/zdoproposed.html. More information is available on the project website at www.clackamascountytsp.com .

For more information, contact Transportation Planning Supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503.742.4683.

Posted November 13th, 2013

Meetings and Open Houses During September - December 2013

After nearly two years of work, August 20 the TSP Public Advisory Committee approved recommendations for projects, programs and policies needed to keep the transportation system safe and reliable for the next 20 years. The recommendations include more than 300 projects for roads, bridges, sidewalks and bikeways needed throughout unincorporated Clackamas County.

Those recommendations will be reviewed and discussed, and further recommendations will be made by the Planning Commission this fall, followed by public hearings and action by the Board of County Commissioners in December. You are invited to participate -- learn about the recommendations, attend a meeting, submit testimony in writing or at a hearing.

Clackamas County Planning Commission (all meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Development Services Building Auditorium, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City)

• Work session on recommended projects and programs -- Sept. 23 (no public testimony)
• Work session on recommended policies -- Oct. 14 (no public testimony)
• Public hearings -- Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 (public testimony)

Public Open Houses (5-6:15 p.m., Development Services Bldg Auditorium, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City) -- Oct. 14 and Oct. 28

Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Public Hearings (Public Services Bldg., 4th floor Board Hearing Room, 2051 Kaen Rd., Oregon City)

• Wednesday, Dec. 4 - 9:30 a.m. (public testimony)
• Wednesday, Dec. 11 -- evening (exact time to be determined) (public testimony)

Posted September 6th, 2013

Clackamas County Transportation Public Advisory Committee to finalize recommendations for planning commission on Tuesday, Aug. 20

The public is welcome to attend and comment at the next and final meeting of Clackamas County's Transportation System Plan (TSP) Public Advisory Committee (PAC). The meeting will be held from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20, in room 115, Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City.

The PAC, made up of residents from throughout Clackamas County, is advising the county on transportation system improvements needed in unincorporated areas of the county over the next 20 years. The meeting Aug. 20 will be the PAC's 12th meeting after nearly two years of reviewing and recommending updates to the county's transportation projects, programs and policies.

The PAC has worked with staff and the public over the last two years to review and update the County's transportation policies, and identify, prioritize and evaluate transportation projects and programs needed through the year 2035.

PAC recommendations will be presented to the county planning commission for review on Sept. 23 and Oct. 14, and for public hearings on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. The planning commission will forward the proposed Transportation System Plan, with their recommendations, to the Board of County Commissioners for study, public hearing and action by the end of December.

More information about the project, including background documents and the schedule of upcoming meetings, is available at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact transportation planning supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503-742-4683.

Posted August 19th, 2013

Public invited to comment online on proposed Clackamas County transportation project priorities through June 15

The public is invited to participate in an online open house at www.clackamascountytsp.com to review and comment on proposed transportation project priorities for the next 20 years in unincorporated Clackamas County.

After more than a year of work on the Clackamas County Transportation System Plan (TSP) update, County residents, the TSP Public Advisory Committee and transportation experts identified more than 300 projects for roads, bridges, sidewalks and bikeways that will be needed by 2035 throughout unincorporated Clackamas County.

The objective of these projects is to help residents, business people and tourists travel safely, smoothly and reliably throughout the County.

Since funds will only be available for a small proportion of these projects, each project was evaluated and ranked based on vision, goals, objectives and evaluation criteria set last year by the Public Advisory Committee. On the basis of that evaluation, projects were prioritized into the following tiers:

Tier 1: 20-Year Capital Projects –Those that can reasonably be undertaken within current estimates of available funding (approximately $444 million over 20 years).

Tier 2: Preferred Capital Projects –Additional recommended projects the County hopes to undertake if additional funds become available (approximately $444 million over 20 years).

Tier 3: Long-Term Capital Projects –Almost all other projects identified during this process. Although funds are not expected to be available for these projects during the next 20 years, these projects are still needed to meet the County’s projected transportation demands.

There are also a few projects recommended to be removed from the project list.

Maps and lists of the proposed projects and project priorities are available at the online open house, which is open through June 15. Additional information about the TSP update process is available on the project website at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact Transportation Planning Supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503.742.4683.

Posted May 20th, 2013

Clackamas County Public Advisory Committee to review transportation project priorities Tuesday, April 23

The public is welcome to attend and comment at the next meeting of Clackamas County's Transportation System Plan (TSP) Public Advisory Committee (PAC). The meeting will be held from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, in room 115, Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City.

The PAC, made up of residents from throughout Clackamas County, is advising the county on transportation system improvements needed in unincorporated areas of the county over the next 20 years. The focus on April 23 will be on prioritizing identified transportation projects.

Through an extensive process over the past year, the PAC has worked with staff and the public to identify, prioritize and evaluate needed transportations projects in five geographic areas of unincorporated Clackamas County - east, southwest, northwest, Greater McLoughlin Area and Clackamas Regional Center / Industrial Area.

Based on the evaluation, the project priorities have been reviewed, discussed and revised based on feedback from geographic area working groups of PAC members and other citizens, and the Technical Advisory Committee of transportation and planning experts from the county, cities within the county and partner agencies.

Each project has been placed in one of three categories: Tier 1: 20-Year Capital Projects Tier 2: Prioritized Capital Projects Tier 3: Long-term Capital Project Needs

The PAC will review those project priorities on April 23. If needed, the meeting will be extended to April 30 for the PAC to finalize project priority recommendations. These recommendations will be available for the community-at-large to consider and comment on at meetings throughout the spring, and at an online open house from May 15-June 15 at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

More information about the project, including background documents and the schedule of upcoming meetings, is available at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact transportation planning supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503-742-4683.

Posted April 11th, 2013

Update - Citizen task forces meet to discuss Clackamas County transportation project priorities; two meetings set for Clackamas Regional Center area

In six meetings scheduled for mid-March, citizens working on the Clackamas County Transportation System Plan (TSP) update will review and discuss priorities for future transportation projects in unincorporated Clackamas County.

Each Geographic Area Project Groups (GAPS) meeting will focus on a different portion of unincorporated Clackamas County. The meeting schedule is as follows:

Greater Clackamas Regional Center/Industrial Area – Two meetings are set for this group; both will be held in the Clackamas County Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek, Oregon City.

The first, on Monday, March 11, 9-11 a.m., will focus on eight potential projects to meet future transportation needs in the Harmony Road area, including Sunnybrook Extension West, widening Harmony Road, widening OR 213, improving intersections and adding turn lanes.

The second meeting, on Monday, March 18, 3-5 p.m., will focus on other projects throughout the Clackamas Regional Center area.

Southwest County Area – Monday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Molalla Library, 201 E. 5th St., Molalla

Greater McLoughlin Area – Monday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Development Services Building Room 119, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City

Northwest County Area – Tuesday, March 12, 9-11 a.m.; Development Services Building Room 119, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City

East County Area – Tuesday, March 12, 5-7 p.m.; Sandy Public Library, 38980 Proctor Blvd., Sandy

Members of the public are welcome to observe and to speak during the public comment period.

These meetings are part of a two-year process to review and update plans and policies for various forms of transportation – roads, transit, walking, bicycling, rail, air, freight, waterways and pipelines – in unincorporated Clackamas County. When complete by the end of 2013, the TSP will specify priority transportation projects for the next 20 years and address funding issues.

More information is available on the project website at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact Transportation Planning Supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503.742.4683.

Posted March 8th, 2013

Citizen groups meet in Clackamas County March 11-12 to review priorities for transportation projects; public welcome to attend

In five meetings scheduled for mid-March, citizens working on the Clackamas County Transportation System Plan (TSP) update will come together to review and discuss priorities for future transportation projects in unincorporated Clackamas County.

Each of the Geographic Area Project Groups (GAPS) meetings will focus on a different portion of unincorporated Clackamas County.

This will be the third time these groups have met. In June 2012 participants identified transportation needs and possible solutions in their area. At the second round of meetings in September 2012, the groups reviewed and discussed the initial evaluation of projects in the county’s current TSP and additional possible projects suggested by the public.

The schedule for the five group meetings in March is as follows:

Greater Clackamas Regional Center/Industrial Area – Monday, March 11, 9-11 a.m.; Development Services Building Room 119, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City

Southwest County Area – Monday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Molalla Library, 201 E. 5th St., Molalla

Greater McLoughlin Area – Monday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Development Services Building Room 119, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City

Northwest County Area – Tuesday, March 12, 9-11 a.m.; Development Services Building room 119, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City

East County Area – Tuesday, March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Sandy Public Library, 38980 Proctor Blvd., Sandy

Members of the public are welcome to attend to observe and to speak during the public comment period.

These meetings are part of the two-year TSP update process, to review and update plans and policies for various forms of transportation – roads, transit, walking, bicycling, rail, air, freight, waterways and pipelines – in unincorporated Clackamas County. When complete by the end of 2013, the TSP will specify priority transportation projects for the next 20 years and address funding issues.

More information is available on the project website at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact Karen Buehrig at karenb@clackamas.us or 503.742.4683.

Posted February 19th, 2013

Clackamas County's Transportation System Plan policy group to meet February 21st

The Policy Working Group of the Clackamas County Transportation System Plan (TSP) Public Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, February 21, to discuss issues related to urban roads and travel in unincorporated Clackamas County.

The meeting will be held from 2-4 p.m. in Room 301 of the County's Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting to observe.

The Policy Working Group, made up of County residents who serve on the TSP Public Advisory Committee, has been reviewing transportation-related policy issues such as economic development, safety, transit, bike/pedestrian, urban road operating standards and rural road operating standards since mid-2012.

These meetings are part of a two-year process, to review and update plans and policies for all forms of transportation – roads, transit, walking, bicycling, rail, air, freight, waterways and pipelines – in unincorporated Clackamas County. When complete by the end of 2013, the TSP will specify priority transportation projects for the next 20 years. More information about the TSP update project, information on upcoming meetings and opportunities for input are available on the project website at www.clackamascountytsp.com.

For more information, contact Transportation Planning Supervisor Karen Buehrig at karenb@co.clackamas.or.us or 503.742.5915.

Posted February 14th, 2013

Transportation Improvements Coming to Your Area?

We are looking for your feedback on potential transportation projects throughout unincorporated Clackamas County. Share your questions, concerns or comments about these projects. Which do you think are a priority and which do you think should be removed from the County’s Transportation System Plan? Please let us know by joining us:

o In person at the Public Open House September 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City.

o Online at the Virtual Workshop, available NOW and until October 1.

For more information on the project status to date, view the newsletter and the report on existing and future conditions in the County’s transportation system.

Posted August 23rd, 2012