2020 is Shaping Up as Tualatin's Big "Year of Construction"

Construction in Tualatin is showing few signs of slowing down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work is continuing on construction projects across all parts of the community.

One bright spot is the transportation improvements sponsored by Tualatin Moving Forward, the bond-funded program approved by Tualatin voters in 2018. Just two years later, five transportation projects are completed and another nine more will be constructed in 2020 at these locations:

  • Garden Corner Curves: SW 105th Avenue/Blake Street/108th Avenue​
  • Boones Ferry Road at Tualatin High School
  • Grahams Ferry Road and Dogwood Street
  • Mohawk Street: east of Martinazzi at PGE
  • 90th Avenue and Sweek Drive
  • Borland Road: Bridgeport Elementary to 60th Avenue​
  • Martinazzi Avenue: Avery Street to Dakota Avenue
  • Tualatin Road between 105th and 115th Avenues​
  • Nasoma Lane between Boones Ferry Road and 90th Avenue

Private development has also continued without interruption. Amazon recently opened a new distribution center located on an 11-acre site on 115th Avenue. Meanwhile, construction has begun on Portland General Electric’s Integrated Operations Center on 124th Avenue. The IOC is being built with special resilient features that enable it to remain in operation in the aftermath of a major seismic event, storm or another disaster. Both projects also include developer-funded improvements to local streets: Blake Street, 119th Avenue and 120th Avenue. Nearby, Washington County plans to begin widening of Tualatin-Sherwood Road starting in 2021.

Of course, all of Tualatin’s 2020 construction projects adhere to COVID-19 safety standards. Governor Kate Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” executive order excludes construction from businesses required to close. An Oregon Construction Safety Task Force has been formed to monitor jobsite safety.

Tualatin City Manager Sherilyn Lombos points to 2020 as a high point for private and public construction activity in the city – despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “Despite the pandemic, construction continues at a high level, bringing needed jobs, improvements, and projects all around town,” Lombos says.