City Council Takes Final Tour of Bond-Funded Transportation Improvements

On September 25, Tualatin City Council members participated in their “End of the Trail” tour of projects funded by the $20 million bond program approved by voters in May 2018. Tualatin Moving Forward encompasses 36 projects across all parts of the city. Nearly all have been completed, and the rest are set to wrap up by year’s end. The projects were chosen to align with voters’ transportation priorities: 

• Enhance traffic flow 
• Improve neighborhood traffic safety 
• Provide safe access to schools and parks 

The chief tour guide was City Engineer Mike McCarthy, PE, who manages the bond program. This final tour included eleven destinations with three stops along the way. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from voters as they see their dollars invested in so many needed transportation improvements,” McCarthy said. “Before the bond program, Tualatin had only a single pedestrian crosswalk with flashing beacons. Now there are more than two dozen of these safer crosswalks.” 

Three of the final projects are among the program’s most visible accomplishments: 

Tualatin-Sherwood Road: Martinazzi Avenue to I-5/Nyberg Street – The project will add a third eastbound lane from Martinez Avenue to I-5, repave and restripe lanes there for more efficient traffic flow, enhance directional signage, and improve bicycle access and safety throughout this corridor.  
This is Mayor Frank Bubenik’s favorite project: “I’ve been waiting for 5 years to see the results; now we are getting close to the finish line.”  

Councilor Christen Sacco is also anxious to see the final results: “I am most excited for the Tualatin-Sherwood Road: Martinazzi to I-5 project to be completed. I’ve driven that way a million times, but the tour really helped me visualize where the changes will be and the impacts they will have.”  

Highway 99: Pony Ridge neighborhood to 124th Avenue – The project’s safety improvements will add a new pathway along Highway 99W to connect the Pony Ridge neighborhood with nearby public transit, shopping and services, and provide a path away from the highway for people who get around by walking or rolling. 

Boones Ferry Corridor Sidewalk and Bike Lane – City Manager Sherilyn Lombos points out this project is the bond program’s biggest investment – more than $7 million. Councilor Valerie Pratt, who is a bicyclist, said “I am very impressed by the new bike lane along Boones Ferry Road.” 

This was the Council’s fifth annual tour of the bond-funded projects, including two virtual tours during the pandemic, so some of the destinations were beginning to look familiar to the repeat participants. Councilor Cyndy Hillier, whose volunteer commitments involve the public schools and is a close observer, notes the number of “beautifully placed” crosswalks that have improved safety for children and their families near schools.  

Several Councilors found viewing progress on the final projects was truly rewarding: 

“It makes me proud of our team. Doing these tours shows the accomplishments firsthand. Tualatin’s taxpayer dollars are being put to use in the right way.” – Councilor Maria Reyes 

“As a resident, I am so impressed with our process. The voters passed it and now it’s nearly done. I’m impressed that we have the ability to execute the plan.” – Councilor Octavio Gonzalez 

Longtime community leader Susan Noack of the Aging Task Force and Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was a guest on the tour. In her words, “The City has really delivered on this project, and done its best to communicate the results.” 

Mayor Frank Bubenik concludes: “Our staff followed through on what was promised – all projects completed in just 5 years.” 

A community event is being planned for January to celebrate the program’s successful completion.  

Learn more – go to TualatinMovingForward.com.