Residents in the Aloha area looking to get the scoop on local pedestrian infrastructure will have their chance at an upcoming open house. The event, slated for October 24 at Butternut Creek Elementary School from 5-7 p.m., will shed light on two sidewalk improvement projects. Community members are invited to engage directly with project teams, to learn more about the designs and to ask any questions they might have about the upcoming changes to their sidewalks and streets.
The first project set for discussion will ensure that citizens will soon be able to safely stride along 193rd Avenue, stretching from Kinnaman Elementary School to Blanton Street, and also, to partially fill a sidewalk gap on Blanton Street to the west. The 193rd Avenue Pedestrian Improvement project is currently in the design phase and is slated to start construction by summer 2025. Washington County informed that the work is backed with a budget of $655,200, courtesy of the Urban Road Maintenance District.
Meanwhile, the Blanton Street project will transform the street between 198th and 209th avenues, complete with bike lanes, sidewalks, street lighting, and additional enhancements. The aim is to make the area more accessible and safer for both pedestrians and cyclists. With designs nearly in the bag, the start of construction is expected in spring 2025. This wider-scoped project comes with a price tag of $5.9 million and is jointly funded by the MSTIP Bonding Cost-sharing Program and the City of Hillsboro.
According to the notice, the open house does not have a formal presentation agenda, so attendees can drop in anytime within the two-hour window. For those unable to make it in person or those who prefer to get information in advance, questions can be directed to Capital Project Services either via email or by phone at 503-846-7822. The announcement also noted that requests for spoken language or sign language interpreters will be honored to ensure the event is accessible to all interested parties.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to review the latest designs and come prepared with questions. The event represents a crucial opportunity for residents to contribute to the dialogue regarding their neighborhood's safety and connectivity. For further details, potential attendees can visit the project page on Washington County's website.
