Minor Betterment Proposals Due July 15

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 17, 2011

Washington County's Department of Land Use and Transportation invites the public to propose candidates for small-scale interim road improvements to be considered for the Minor Betterment Program (MBP). To be eligible, the proposed improvement must address a safety, capacity, environmental and/or connectivity issue on a county road.

Proposals submitted by July 15 will be considered by the MBP Selection Committee comprised of county staff and citizens representing the Urban Road Maintenance District Advisory Committee, the Rural Roads Operations and Maintenance Advisory Committee, and the Committee for Citizen Involvement. Projects selected by this committee will be recommended for Board of Commissioner approval for construction in 2012-2013.

In 2010-2011, the MBP funded the 143rd Avenue pedestrian pathway project from Hunters Drive to West Union Road. MBP projects pending Board approval for 2011-2012 include pedestrian paths on 153rd from Cornell to Arcadia, Barnes from 70th Terrace to Miller Road, Cornell from 119th to Saltzman, and Kinnaman Road from Farmington to 185th; an ADA ramp at 158th and Walker Road; shoulder widening at Miller Hill Road and Farmington; grade adjustment at Blooming Fern Hill and Winters; and median work on Murray Boulevard near Tierra Del Mar Drive.

Proposals received after July 15 will be added to the MBP list for consideration by the 2013-2014 selection committee.

The MBP is funded by the county's gas tax allocation. About $350,000 per year is currently available for this program to fund small-scale interim improvements which are beyond routine maintenance but not large enough to be programmed as capital improvements. Identification of candidates for the MBP is request driven.

A list and a map of proposed MBP candidates are available online. Candidates may be proposed by submitting an online form or by contacting the Operations and Maintenance Division at 503-846-7623 or [email protected].

Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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