Traffic congestion improvements and safety upgrades are coming to one of the intersections most severely in need of them in the Canby area: the junction of Ehlen Road and Highway 551 (Hubbard Cutoff) near the Aurora State Airport.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said it worked with Marion County to identify the intersection as one most in need of safety improvements. The Ehlen Road approach currently lacks left-turn lanes in both directions, and often becomes congested during the morning and evening rush hours.
To “reduce congestion and improve operations at the intersection,” ODOT said it will install signalized left-turn lanes on both approaches, and will also add a concrete traffic separator for the left turn lane on the west side of Ehlen Road, which will restrict turns to and from Boones Ferry Road.
Because of the new concrete separator, left-turning traffic on the north side of the Boones Ferry/Ehlen Road intersection will use Keil Road. Left-turning traffic on the south side of the intersection will use the new county connector road.
South of the intersection, ODOT will also build a new connector road, Julia Road NE, between Highway 551 and Boones Ferry.
This new road, which will require the removal of several trees to construct, will include a dedicated right-hand turning lane from 551 and is intended to provide — among other things — a new and safer way to access the Western Wagon Village.
ODOT anticipates that travelers may need to use alternate routes during construction, which is slated for next year. There will likely be lane closures and traffic control with flaggers, and local residents should expect noise and delays.
The transportation department has set up an online open house for the project, which will be available through at least Aug. 31. Also, see the informational flyer provided by ODOT to Wagon Wheel Village residents.
The $8.5 million project is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in 2021. For more information or to sign up for updates from ODOT, visit the project’s webpage.
