Evergreen Blvd. Rock Creek Trail Crossing Open House

On May 3, Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department hosted Robert Rivera, project manager, and other Washington County Staff as they presented the county's proposal to address crossing Evergreen Blvd from the Rock Creek trail and to facilitate access to it from the road.

More than 20 citizens, interest groups, stakeholders and property owners in the affected area attended and provided several comments for the county to take back and consider before the actual project begins.

Starting with the existing conditions, which include a median strip with high curbs, and no ramp on the southern side of the roadway, crossing by bikes can be hazardous at best and, for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, impossible without traveling at least ¼ mile in wither direction to cross at a driveway or intersection.

This project is intended to remedy that with an at-grade crossing with ADA compliant approaches and exit and entrance "ramps" for cyclists proceeding on to the trail from Evergreen.

The project includes a push button operated traffic light (red, yellow, green) at the intersection that is timed to the entire system along Evergreen.  While it will occasionally halt motor vehicle traffic, it won't do so without regard to the regular flow of traffic.

I've posted some brief videos (mostly because my still camera's battery was dead) and I hope you can see them well enough.  Stop them along the way as you need to to see what is there and what is proposed. (Mute the background noise, too,)

Meanwhile, I have asked Robert to put the posters on the county's site so more of the public can see it.

Existing Conditions

Proposed Change

The sidewalk will be realigned and be permeable concrete.  The bike 'ramps' will be asphalt with a small stencil directing cyclists to the trail north or south.

This aerial view shows existing conditions, too.