What We Learned

Five Partner Agencies Collaborated on a Study of At-Grade Crossing Options

It became apparent that an “at-grade” crossing of Scholls Ferry Road (one that crosses at street level, instead of going under or over it) would be the only viable long-term solution. An engineering study was completed to compare different route options for safety, usability and convenience, feasibility, impact, and cost.

The routes studied included going through adjacent residential and commercial developments, along Scholls Ferry Road, adding trail bridges to cross Fanno Creek, and adding or modifying traffic signals at intersections along Scholls Ferry Road.

A Mid-block Pedestrian Signal East of SW Springwood Drive Ranked Highest

After looking at all of the identified routes, one route clearly ranked the highest based on the study criteria; installing an at-grade, mid-block pedestrian signal roughly 350 feet east of SW Springwood Drive (slightly west of the existing roadway bridge over Fanno Creek), while also keeping the existing undercrossing.

• During periods when the undercrossing is flooded, trail users would cross Scholls Ferry Road at the proposed pedestrian signal.
• At times when the undercrossing is dry, trail users could cross underneath the roadway at the current location.
• The trails on the north and south sides of Scholls Ferry Road that connect to Fanno Creek Trail would be reconstructed to provide accessibility for all trail users, provide more direct access from Scholls Ferry Road to Fanno Creek Trail, and to reduce how far trail users must travel out of their way to safely cross the road.
• The existing sidewalks used for this route on Scholls Ferry Road would be widened to support two-way bike/pedestrian traffic.

Rendering of Proposed Scholls Ferry Road at-Grade Crossing (looking east)

We Also Learned that We Can Provide More Information

In addition to any long-term solution to the trail flooding at Scholls Ferry Road, we can do a better job providing trail users with information about available detour routes and when the trail is flooded, before they encounter the flooded trail. One accomplishment:

• Tigard and Tualatin Hills Park and & Recreation District installed signs along the trail showing available detour routes for when the trail is flooded.