Drivers in Oregon, take note: another weekend closure is set to hit OR 217. Starting 9 p.m. Friday, August 15 through 5 a.m. Monday, August 18, northbound lanes from OR 99W to Scholls Ferry Road will be shuttered for paving, marking the finale of a five-week saga of closures. According to details reported by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), this last push is part of the larger Auxiliary Lanes Project aimed at easing notorious bottlenecks.
The schedule remains flexible, as weather conditions and equipment availability could still affect the timeline. Commuters and curiosity seekers alike are directed to Tripcheck.com for the latest in road status updates. For those whose path is blocked by the closure, a detour using Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and U.S. 26 is recommended.
Not all news is of the inconvenient variety, however; the Hall Boulevard overpass is now fully operational. The upgraded structure boasts wider sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA access, and a design that's more likely to withstand seismic shudders. "We appreciate the patience and flexibility of residents, businesses and travelers during this extended closure," ODOT said in the same bulletin. As finishing touches continue, temporary lane closures might still occur on Hall Boulevard over the next few months, but the overpass will remain usable.
Initiated in 2021, the Auxiliary Lanes project plans to add auxiliary lanes to connect ramps between Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and OR 99W, alongside targeted improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. The undertaking is big – to the tune of $174 million big – and is funded predominantly by House Bill 2017. Beaverton and Washington County have also pitched in. Completion is set for December 2025, and ODOT has stated that despite a funding crisis impacting their ability to maintain and operate, such planning projects will proceed as most of them are bankrolled by programs with restricted funds earmarked for development.
