Lenox--Highway 151/Sealey Way Intersection

This project will realign and provide safety improvements to the intersection of Highway 151 (Azalea Avenue/Main Street/Railroad Street) with Sealey Way. This intersection is the busiest intersection in Lenox.

Highway 151 is a former primary route, and the main arterial to the north and south of Downtown Lenox, providing a "business loop" off of the Highway 3 freeway. Azalea Avenue splits into the Main/Railroad One-Way Couplet just before reaching Sealey Way, a minor arterial providing access to residential areas on the north side of town, along with connecting downtown to Tigard Drive and River Road.

Below is a map and an image of the existing conditions at Highway 151 and Sealey:

Map

Existing Intersection (facing north)

Construction begins (facing north) Two houses were removed.

The southern segment of Sealey Way, with the Railroad Street intersection (facing north)

Azalea Avenue has been closed off for construction, with motorists advised to use Hillside Drive to 2nd Street in the interim. Motorists on the northern portion of Sealey can still access downtown and the Main/Railroad couplet. As you can probably guess from this image, Azalea will be elevated as part of the project, so that the intersection will no longer be complicated by the railroad. (facing east)

There were some concerns at the open house meetings from citizens whose property backed directly up to the new alignment. However, they conceded that elevating Azalea Avenue would cause less noise than elevating the railroad. In addition, this option was less costly.

The southern segment of Sealey is closed off for realignment. (facing north)

Now the northern segment of Sealey has been closed off. As you can see, the two sections of Main Street now connect, and Azalea connects directly into the northern segment of Sealey. Railroad Street connects to Azalea via an Elevated T-Intersection. (facing north)

The new alignment of the north portion of Sealey has been completed. (facing north)

The area between Main and Railroad is being developed, and will include a small park, with a new playground to replace the one removed near the library. A new small playground has also been placed near the library as well. (facing north)

The southern portion of Sealey Way, which no longer connects to the northern portion. The city is considering renaming this stretch of road as a result. 5th Street now directly connects to Railroad instead of Sealey. (facing north)

A closer in look at the Azalea/Main/Sealey Intersection. (facing south)

A map and an overview of the completed improvements:

Map

Overview

And that does it for this installment of Tarkusian Cities.

-Alex (Tarkus)