Dallas accepts $1.93 million Safe Routes to School grant to signalize SE 11th and Ellendale intersection

The Dallas City Council unanimously approved acceptance of a $1,930,235.87 Safe Routes to School grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation to construct a signalized intersection at Southeast 11th Street and West Ellendale Avenue.

Michael Pierce, a staff member who presented the grant, said the project follows prior design work in which a traffic signal was chosen instead of a roundabout. The project includes pedestrian-activated push buttons and illumination at the new signalized intersection and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at Rainbow and Levins. Pierce said the grant will also fund realigning ramps and other improvements to provide safer routes for students.

Pierce told council the school district used the Safe Routes to School grant to identify priority crossings and that the intersection the city will signalize was identified as high priority for children walking and bicycling to school. The council adopted a motion "to approve the grant agreement as provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School in the amount of $1,930,235.87"; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Pierce and councilors discussed that existing crossings (for example at Hillcrest Drive) would be retained and could receive future improvements; the Levins/Ellendale work will not remove currently used crosswalks, Pierce said. Staff said the city will send the project to bid and proceed under contract.