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Tigard council hears McDonald Street briefing; staff recommends roundabout‑focused redesign to improve safety
Summary
City staff presented a preferred McDonald Street design that pairs an off‑carriage shared‑use path with single‑lane roundabouts at key intersections to reduce speeds, limit right‑of‑way impacts and upgrade utilities; staff targets design completion in late 2027 and construction in 2028–29.
City staff presented a concept plan Friday to rebuild McDonald Street between Highway 99 and Hall Boulevard, recommending a corridor with a shared‑use path for pedestrians and cyclists, and single‑lane roundabouts at several major intersections to improve safety and traffic operations.
Courtney Ferman, assistant city engineer, said the project aligns with Tigard’s Complete Streets policy and the recently adopted Safe Streets Action Plan. "First and foremost we want to have safe facilities for everybody," Ferman said, noting the work will also include replacing and upgrading four water lines and undergrounding overhead utilities.
Consultant project manager Nicholas Plinsky reviewed the alternatives analysis staff used to evaluate pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular cross‑sections. Of four pedestrian/bicycle options, staff recommended a shared‑use path because it produces the narrowest cross‑section — about 10 feet less than other options — reducing permanent right‑of‑way impacts on adjacent properties. For vehicle operations, staff evaluated a three‑lane section (two travel lanes plus continuous center turn lane) versus a corridor of strategically placed roundabouts. Plinsky said the roundabout corridor met safety and community goals while reducing corridor‑wide right‑of‑way takings: staff estimated 59 properties would require permanent takings under the roundabout alternative versus 71 under the three‑lane cross section.
The preferred concept shows single‑lane roundabouts at approximately 103rd, an elliptical roundabout near Omar/98th, 97th (near the elementary and middle schools) and 93rd, with the shared‑use path connecting through the corridor. Plinsky said the roundabouts would lower travel speeds (roughly 25 mph through roundabouts) and allow fire apparatus and school buses to circulate; heavy freight would be discouraged on McDonald.
Councilors asked detailed questions about closely spaced roundabouts near 103rd and Omar/98th, the effect of eliminating direct left turns at 100th and neighborhood circulation, and the status of property‑owner outreach. Ferman said staff has met individually with about 45 property owners so far and that many were relieved when the actual needed takings were smaller than initial fears. The project team recommended a 'best value' procurement approach to select a contractor with qualifications suitable for complex utility and right‑of‑way work.
The timeline staff outlined calls for design completion by the end of 2027, right‑of‑way resolutions in early 2027, and construction starting in spring 2028 with two active construction seasons. Staff said they will return to council with a contract amendment for phase two and later to finalize procurement and right‑of‑way steps.
What to watch: staff will return with a proposed contract for phase two design and a potential resolution of necessity for right‑of‑way. Council discussion indicated general support for the safety goals but continued interest in right‑of‑way impacts and roundabout spacing.
