The City of Tualatin is partnering with local employers to install transportation projects that improve worker safety on streets near employment centers. “We love to partner with interested local businesses – and we can often help with the cost,” says Public Works Director, Jeff Fuchs, P.E.
Leveraging funds from the $20 million transportation bond program approved by Tualatin voters in 2018, the City is working to make traffic safety and congestion improvements citywide. More than 30 projects are planned, and five are already built.
An upcoming project will enhance the mid-block pedestrian crossing installed in 2017 at Portland General Electric’s facility on Mohawk Drive near Martinazzi. Before, with the PGE campus situated on both sides of Mohawk, up to 400 workers per day crossed the street without a marked crossing. Many had expressed concern about the unsafe crossing.
Initial crossing improvements were designed by City staff with PGE paying for installation. Now, rapid flashing beacons will be added to further improve pedestrian safety for PGE employees at an estimated cost of $40,000. “These new rapid flashing beacons have been very effective wherever we have installed them at pedestrian crossings and in school zones,” says Fuchs, who also served as project manager for the initial crossing installation on Mohawk.
The safer crossing has been embraced by PGE employees, and was featured in the company’s Safety Line publication. Sarah Sims, manager of PGE’s Customer Service Center says “I fully appreciate the partnership. The City was willing to understand our concerns and make this work.”
A similar mid-block crossing with rapid flashing beacons was constructed in 2018 at the Lam Research campus on Leveton Road, where 3,000 employees are headquartered.
Tualatin businesses interested in traffic safety projects should contact Jeff Fuchs, P.E. at jfuchs@tualatin.gov or go to TualatinMovingForward.com. Sarah Sims of PGE advises other Tualatin employers: “Don’t be afraid to make the call.”