The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), in partnership with the City of Tigard and Washington County, has completed a pedestrian safety project on Hall Boulevard at SW Hemlock and SW Spruce streets. The improvements were made on this section of Hall Boulevard, which is also designated as state highway OR 141.
The project included the installation of new enhanced pedestrian crossings, known as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), at the intersections of SW Hemlock Street in unincorporated Washington County and SW Spruce Street within Tigard. In addition to the beacons, visibility and accessibility were improved with added buffered bike lanes, newly striped bike lanes between SW Spruce and SW Hemlock streets, new sidewalk construction, upgraded lighting, and improved sidewalk curb ramps that now meet ADA requirements.
According to ODOT, “The new rectangular rapid flashing beacons at these two busy intersections make it safer for people to cross SW Hall Boulevard and connect to their neighborhoods, nearby destinations like bus stops, schools, churches, restaurants and local parks.” The agency further stated: “New sidewalk and new ADA curb ramps around the intersection make the crossings safer and more accessible for everyone. Restricting parking on Hall Boulevard at SW Spruce Street increases safety by protecting pedestrians and bicyclists at the new crosswalks.”
RRFBs use flashing yellow lights activated by pedestrians pressing a button. ODOT noted that these devices are installed at crossings with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic because they can reduce crashes by up to 47 percent according to data from the Federal Highway Administration. “RRFBs are a critical part of our efforts to maintain a modern and safe transportation system,” ODOT said.
Additional safety upgrades on Hall Boulevard are planned for later this year. These include two more RRFBs at Fanno Creek Trail and SW Omara Street.
In recent years, Hall Boulevard has received other improvements such as enhanced pedestrian crossings with RRFBs at SW Ashford Street in Tigard, a rebuilt OR 217 overpass in Tigard with new sidewalks and bicycle lanes in Beaverton, as well as rebuilt ADA-accessible sidewalk curb ramps at several locations.
