August 24, 2026 City Council Work Session: Rail Crossing Study, Transportation Safety Program, and Proclamations

The City Council met on August 24, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM, for a work session focused on the 12th and Sherwood Rail Crossing Study, an update on the Neighborhood Transportation Safety Program (NTSP), and two proclamation requests. The meeting also included council communications and a brief water emergency update.

Discussion Items

12th and Sherwood Rail Crossing Study

• City Engineer Mike McCarthy, Engineering Associate Abby McFechard, and project manager Mark Bitoric (Kittleson & Associates) presented the results of the study, which evaluated 17 alternatives to address safety, congestion, and multimodal connectivity at the Boone's Ferry and Tualatin-Sherwood Road intersection, a regional bottleneck.
• The study identified six goals: improve safety, livability, multimodal connectivity, travel time reliability, community development, and feasibility. Key safety issues include three intersections (89th & Tualatin-Sherwood, Boone's Ferry & Tualatin-Sherwood, Boone's Ferry & Warm Springs) on the county's top 10% crash list (SPIS list). Perceived safety concerns also deter pedestrians and bicyclists.
• After screening, three promising alternatives were detailed, each with sub-scenarios:
  • Alternative 1A1 (Road over rail): Construct an overpass for Tualatin-Sherwood over the rail line and Boone's Ferry, with right-in/right-out connections and two roundabouts. Estimated cost: $135–250 million (south alignment) or $100–200 million (existing alignment, but construction would require 18 months of single-lane traffic, deemed infeasible). Displaces 6–7 businesses (Taco Bell, McDonald's, bank, auto parts, etc.). Would eliminate two signals and the at-grade rail crossing, improving travel time reliability.
  • Alternative 2A1 (Road under rail): Similar to overpass but with road under the rail, requiring a temporary rail closure of 3–4 days. Higher cost ($170–320 million) and flooding concerns.
  • Alternative 5A (At-grade widening): Widen Tualatin-Sherwood from Fred Meyer to 90th Avenue to six lanes (three each direction), with safety improvements at the rail crossing (four-quadrant gates). Cost: $20–45 million. Does not grade-separate the rail crossing, leaving some safety and capacity issues. 20-year model shows this option would shift the bottleneck to 90th Avenue.
• Councilor Brooks asked about the long-term cost of incremental widening, noting that once built, a future grade separation would be more expensive. Mark Bitoric advised that if the city chooses the widening option, it should not be considered a step toward grade separation; it would be a standalone solution.
• Councilor Hillier inquired about travel time impacts for industrial areas (e.g., TVF&R) and school access. The presentation indicated that the overpass would add about 10–15 seconds for some industrial traffic but improve overall flow by removing signals. The fire station at 90th Avenue would retain signal preemption.
• Councilor Brooks highlighted that community development (a top goal from the charrette) is not fully met by any alternative, as the overpass removes businesses and the widening does not improve livability. Mark Bitoric noted that the overpass could open up redevelopment of the old alignment and provide visual access to the lake area.
• Councilor Hillier asked about the safety data; staff noted that while there have been no recent train crashes, there have been incidents of vehicles ending up on the tracks. The crash history at Boone's Ferry intersection was previously in the county's top 10 worst locations, though recent data shows slight improvement.
• Councilor Brooks emphasized the need to discuss potential mitigation (e.g., noise, aesthetics, linear parks) with the community, especially if the grade-separated option moves forward. Staff agreed that those details would be part of future design.
• Next steps: Advisory committee meeting on September 8, virtual open house in late September, then feedback to council in late September with a recommendation to adopt the preferred alternative into the Transportation System Plan (TSP).

Neighborhood Transportation Safety Program (NTSP) Update

• Abby McFechard presented the status of the NTSP, an annual program funded by gas tax ($150,000 per fiscal year). Completed projects include the IBOC & Columbia Crosswalk, Boone's Ferry & Ibach signal improvements, Nyberg & 65th signal improvements, and the Hazelbrook Crosswalk (completed most recently, providing safer crossing under Highway 99 and reducing speeds).
• Ongoing projects: Blake Street traffic calming and pedestrian improvements (still under evaluation) and Joshua & 55th crosswalk improvements (likely upgraded crosswalks and ramps).
• The 2026–2027 cycle opens for submissions in September 2026 (next week). The survey is open year-round, but submissions received by the end of September will be considered for the next cycle. Last year, 31 new submissions were received; the total backlog is about 200–300 suggestions.
• Councilor Brooks requested a direct link to the survey; staff will provide it. Councilor Gonzalez noted a resident request for speed bumps in Fox Hills; staff directed to use the online survey or email for accessibility.

Proclamations

• Week Without Driving (October 3–9, 2026): Requested by the Westside Transportation Alliance. Councilors expressed support, with Councilor Brooks noting the challenges faced by non-drivers, Councilor Pratt noting alignment with Walk & Roll to School Day, and Councilor Shucka mentioning potential awareness for underserved communities. Unanimous support.
• Constitution Week (September 17–23, 2026): Requested by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Councilors supported it as a means to raise awareness of constitutional rights. Unanimous support.

Key Outcomes

• The council did not make a final decision on the rail crossing study; staff will return with public feedback and a recommended alternative in late September. The council will then decide whether to proceed with adoption into the TSP.
• The NTSP 2026–2027 cycle will open for public submissions in September 2026. The council will receive an update on ongoing projects later this fall.
• Both proclamations (Week Without Driving and Constitution Week) were approved by unanimous consent.
• Council communications included updates on a water main leak (repaired by midnight, with conservation urged through the night), slurry seal completion, community survey results expected in October, and upcoming events (Regatta, Las Casitas cleanup, etc.).

Water Emergency Update

• Public Works Director Rachel Sykes reported an active leak on a 36-inch water transmission line (owned by the city) on 72nd Avenue in Tigard, discovered during a Tigard overlay project. The leak worsened, requiring shutdown of a 3,000-foot section. Crews repaired an air relief valve; water was expected to be restored by midnight. The city asked residents and businesses to curtail non-essential water use for 24–48 hours. Major industrial users (e.g., Lamb) were affected. The council thanked staff for their response.