1. Background

We are considering two possible alignments for an improved Saltzman Road between Laidlaw Road and Bayonne Lane: 

• Western Alignment: Build a bridge to align Saltzman Road with 130th Avenue at Laidlaw Road.
   
• Eastern Alignment: Widen the existing Saltzman Road alignment.

Saltzman Road currently has narrow vehicle lanes with no bike lanes or sidewalks. Both alignment options address these safety concerns.

The Saltzman Road improvement project has been funded for $6.5 million - $5.3 million through the Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP 3e), plus an additional $1.2 million through the Bonny Slope West funding plan. The estimated cost for the Western Alignment is $19.5 million. The estimated cost for the Eastern Alignment is $8.4 million.

We created an eight-member Project Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise us on the alignments. The Saltzman PAC met seven times between August 2020 and December 2021. The majority of the PAC members support the Western Alignment. The Community Participation Organizations (CPO 1 and CPO 7) and the Bethany Neighborhood Coalition also support the Western Alignment. 

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) strongly prefers the Eastern Alignment. They feel this option provides a better experience for pedestrians and access to a future neighborhood park at the southeast corner of the current Saltzman and Laidlaw roads intersection. It would have less impact on the natural environment and another THPRD property where a wetland and natural area restoration project is planned.

The County's Transportation System Plan (TSP) includes both possible alignments for Saltzman Road, between Laidlaw Road and Bayonne Lane. The Western Alignment is identified as a "future" project. The existing alignment is identified for "interim" improvements.