March 14 Open House for Southbound I-5 Traffic-Congestion Mitigation Plans

I-5 map

The City of Wilsonville is hosting an open house featuring southbound I-5 traffic-congestion mitigation concepts on Wednesday, March 14, 5-6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East. The event provides community members an opportunity to provide input on a proposed ramp-to-ramp auxiliary-lane concept to help alleviate evening rush-hour traffic congestion on southbound I-5 and Wilsonville Road interchange area. The City is also presenting key information from the open house and an online survey March 14-31 at the project website.

Three I-5 congestion-mitigation alternatives are proposed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City in the joint study:

  • Option A: New ramp-to-ramp I-5 lane south from Wilsonville Road on-ramp to the first exit for Charbonneau/Miley Rd.
  • Option B: New ramp-to-ramp I-5 lane south from Wilsonville Road on-ramp to the second exit for Canby-Hubbard/Highway 551.
  • Option C, the Preferred Alternative: Same as B, plus a second I-5 turn-lane added to the Canby-Hubbard/Highway 551 exit off-ramp.

The open house provides attendees with an opportunity to learn more about recent I-5 congestion studies, the possible benefits and impact of a ramp-to-ramp lane solution and the preliminary recommendation of the project leaders. Throughout the evening, people can ask questions of Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp and the project team and provide feedback on the proposed alternatives. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a work session on the proposal following the open house starting at 6:30 p.m.

Similar projects that have added ramp-to-ramp auxiliary lanes for merging on/off highways in the Portland region have reduced crashes by 30 to 50 percent, according to ODOT. Currently, evening commute speeds on southbound I-5 near Wilsonville Road can drop to 25 mph, and evening traffic backs up onto Wilsonville Road, Boones Ferry Road and Town Center Loop West. Travel times on the South Metro section of I-5 have become increasingly unreliable, resulting in unpredictable commutes and delay in the timely shipping of freight.

Analysis indicates that about 60 percent of all traffic getting on I-5 at Wilsonville Road exits at either the Charbonneau or Canby-Hubbard exits. A ramp-to-ramp lane is expected to improve reliability on I-5 southbound, reduce congestion, make it easier for drivers to change lanes, and generally smooth-out traffic flow. Improved I-5 operation should positively impact traffic flow through the Wilsonville Road I-5 interchange area.

After close of the online survey, project leaders consider public input and prepare a draft I-5 Wilsonville Facility Plan that includes a final alternative recommendation. The draft plan is scheduled to be released for a 45-day comment period starting in early April. City Council approval of the plan is expected in May, with adoption this summer by the Oregon Transportation Commission for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Metro Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

¿Hablas español? Podemos proporcionar la información de esta publicación en español, por favor llame al 503-731-4128.

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