Chemeketa: 52nd Avenue Project, Part 2.1
Hi everyone-
Well, back with another update--Chemeketa has obtained the funds to continue the 52nd Avenue Widening Project, so we'll be headed out there.
Before I get really into things, I thought I'd share a little something--an updated full map of the Chemeketa Region.
52nd Avenue NE Corridor Widening Project-Phase 2 (Mosby to Scarlet)
The purpose of this project is to continue the improvements to 52nd Avenue NE in the Sorenson Creek area of North Chemeketa to facilitate faster and safer travel. As with Phase 1, which improved 52nd Avenue NE from Mosby Road to Halpert Road, the reconstructed roadway will consist of 6 travel lanes, with a raised, landscaped median and turn lanes at major intersections. As part of the project, other improvements will be made to the roadways in the vicinity of 52nd Avenue, including an extension of Scarlet Street NE south to Sorenson Creek, reconfiguration of the 52nd/Sorenson Street NE intersection, and the construction of a new connector between the Scarlet Street extension and Sorenson Street.
In order to better facilitate the construction of the new lanes while minimizing disruption, 52nd Avenue's existing 4 lanes have been narrowed, with a temporary 35mph construction speed limit in effect. This is at the intersection of Rankine Lane and 52nd (facing east). Left turns off 52nd have been proven a bit . . . interesting due to the temporary lane configuration, and Public Works has advised those heading east on 52nd to instead make a right and use the Rankine/Dallas Roundabout as a turnaround, while westbound motorists have been advised to use Aldrin Drive.
This is at the bridge over Sorenson Creek on 52nd (facing east)--the bridge will need to be reconstructed to accommodate the wider roadway. Crews have caused 52nd to "squiggle" so that they can better facilitate the widening.
This is the existing intersection at 52nd and Scarlet, the west end of the project (facing east). Scarlet will be extended to the south from this intersection. The original plans involved extending Sorenson Street northward to connect with the disconnected segment with the same name, running from Eriksen to 71st, but in order to have optimal traffic signal spacing, and to avoid the sensitive wetlands on Sorenson Creek between 52nd and Eriksen Drive NE, it was decided that an alternate plan was necessary.
Work on the extension has begun (facing east).
This is the intersection of 52nd and Sorenson with construction in progress (facing east). Sorenson's access to 52nd will be converted into a RIRO (right-in, right-out) setup, with a new connector road being constructed between Sorenson and the Scarlet extension to facilitate left-turning traffic.
This is the point where the connector road will meet Sorenson Street at a roundabout (facing east).
Construction on the roundabout and connector (all facing east):
Here's the other end of the connector, ready to be connected into the extended Scarlet Street (facing east). Full access will remain at the 52nd/Sorenson intersection until the Scarlet Street project is complete.
Work continuing on the Scarlet extension (facing east):
Because of the difficulties of staging the construction of the widened Sorenson Creek bridge on 52nd Avenue, Public Works has had to close the busy thoroughfare--a controversial decision for sure. We'll be back next time to see the aftermath.
-Alex
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