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County proposes multiuse path for Farmington Road; readies jurisdictional transfer talks with ODOT
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Summary
Staff presented a Farmington Road corridor concept plan that prioritizes a three‑lane roadway with a multiuse path for bikes and pedestrians rather than a five‑lane expansion, and said the plan will inform jurisdictional transfer negotiations with ODOT and future funding requests.
Washington County staff on July 15 presented a concept plan for Farmington Road and reported community support for a multiuse path and a three‑lane roadway rather than an immediate five‑lane widening.
The study area runs roughly from Kinnaman/170th on the east to 202nd on the west; one segment between Kinnaman and 198th remains under Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) jurisdiction. Staff said the county has previously taken jurisdiction of segments of Farmington Road as improvements were completed and that this project is intended to finalize a context‑sensitive design and cost estimate to support transfer discussions with ODOT.
Staff said outreach included a December design workshop with about 60 community participants, a May online engagement that yielded 173 survey responses, and postcards mailed to nearby residents. A technical advisory committee and a project advisory committee assisted the work; the latter supported the multiuse path recommendation. Staff said the county’s modeling shows future travel demand can be accommodated with a three‑lane section with targeted intersection improvements, rather than a five‑lane section, for much of the corridor.
Julie Sosnowski, senior transportation planner and the project manager, said the primary public preference was for a separated multiuse path for bicyclists and pedestrians. The design team provided three alternatives: (1) in‑street bicycle lanes with a curb buffer and wider sidewalks; (2) a separated multiuse path with curb and planting separation; and (3) a hybrid that provides an on‑street bike lane in higher‑driveway areas with a narrower multiuse path. Online engagement and advisory committees favored the multiuse path.
Staff flagged a complex intersection at Rosa Road where options considered included right‑in/right‑out modifications or full closure of the Rosa intersection; survey input favored a right‑in/right‑out approach to slow turning movements and reduce cut‑through traffic. Staff noted that limited right‑of‑way and utility coordination will be part of subsequent design and property outreach if the project proceeds to funding and acquisition.
Next steps include a Washington County Board work session on August 5, final report preparation and continued discussions with ODOT’s jurisdictional transfer advisory committee to position the project for future funding. Staff said that although a prior state transportation funding package failed in the 2025 session, the county is preparing an application and cost estimate to pursue funding in the next biennium.
