Chemeketa: 52nd Avenue NE Widening Project, Phase 1
Hi everyone-
Well, I'm back with another update here, which I think you'll really enjoy. Suffice to say, it's road construction season! And featuring some as-of-yet unreleased content!
52nd Avenue NE Widening, Phase 1 (Mosby to Halpert)
The City of Chemeketa's Department of Public Works is beginning the process of improving 52nd Avenue NE in order to better facilitate the movement of commuters and freight traffic in North and Northeast Chemeketa. As shown on the long-term project map from April, this project is marked as #4.
Alternate link to map:
As discussed in the development of previous projects, 52nd Ave NE is a major east-west surface arterial through the northern reaches of the city, connecting the predominantly residential areas to the west, up with the high-tech facilities and office parks to the east, as well as providing a link between the Chemeketa Parkway (Highway 219) and the West Oregon Freeway (Highway 15). The development on the east end has led to substantially increased traffic congestion on the section between Ashcroft Street NE and Halpert Road NE. While recent projects, including the Rankine-Sorenson Corridor Project and the Aldrin Way improvements have mitigated some of the issues along 52nd Ave, the road is still failing to meet an appropriate Level of Service (LOS).
Between the Chemeketa Parkway and Schrute Road NE, 52nd Ave is currently a 4-lane roadway with speed limits ranging between 35 and 50 miles per hour. The results of the study performed by the city and outside consultants has shown that in order to handle 2020 capacity levels with an acceptable LOS, much of the road needs to be widened to 6 lanes. The segment in particular need of such an upgrade is between Ashcroft Street to Halpert Road. Studies are still underway as to the efficacy of extending the lane additions westward toward the Chemeketa Parkway interchange.
In order to make the best use of funding and minimize disruption along all of 52nd, the project will be undertaken in phases, beginning with the eastern segment, between Mosby Road and Halpert Road. The second and third phases have yet to be funded. Phase 2 will cover the segment from Scarlet Street NE to Mosby Road, while Phase 3 will extend from Ashcroft to Scarlet. If studies determine it is necessary, a Phase 4 would cover from the Chemeketa Parkway to Ashcroft.
Here is the existing intersection with Scott Drive NE and the Highway 15 Northbound Ramps:
Facing east
Facing north
This is the existing intersection at Halpert Road NE (facing east):
Here is the existing Highway 15 overpass:
Facing east
Facing north
Construction begins. 52nd has been narrowed to 3 lanes while excavation takes place.
At Scott Drive, facing north
At Highway 15, facing north
At Mosby Road, facing north
Here are various images of construction already underway.
Facing north at Mosby and Highway 15
Facing west from Scott Drive toward Highway 15 along 52nd
Paving underway, facing west
Facing south at the 52nd/Scott intersection
The widened roadway is now in place under Highway 15 (facing north). (If you're wondering how I got the T21s, I tweaked jackxu's AVE-2 median mod on the AVE-6. These will not be in the public NWM release.)
A look along 52nd after construction (facing east)
Turn lanes going in place at the Mosby intersection (facing north). Signals have not yet been installed.
And that does it for this update. While the city accumulates more funding for Phase 2, we'll take a look at the McCabe Street extension next time. Hope you enjoyed this latest project!
One more reply and we hit #100 here at the ST edition of Tarkusian Cities . . . who will take the honors? 
-Alex
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