Happy 4th of July Weekend!

With the busy travel time of the Independence Day holiday weekend, Washington County encourages motorist to be alert and drive slow in work zones.

There are many activities happening this 4th of July weekend that Oregon State Police, county sheriff offices and city police agencies will step up extra enforcement efforts Friday afternoon through Sunday in order to reduce crashes, injuries and associated deaths during the weekend.

Also, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will suspend construction work that impacts lanes between noon Friday, July 3, and midnight Sunday, July 5. Although actual roadwork will pause for the holiday, work zones will still be marked and require slower speeds. Motorists should be aware of the possibility of highway shoulders being impacted or construction activity taking place behind barriers during the weekend. Even when workers are not present, all Work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, temporary lane alignment changes and incomplete changes in the Roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.

4th of July Community Events:

• Portland’s firework display on the 4th of July
• Hillsboro 4th of July Parade (8 - 11:30 a.m. on Main Street)
• Charlais 4th of July Parade (10 - 11:00 a.m, starting on NW Charlais Street and ending on Somerset Drive)
• Hagg Lake Triathlon
• Oak Hills Dr 4th of July celebration (Run 8 to 9 a.m., Parade noon to 1 p.m., fireworks 7:30 to 11 p.m.)
• Cedar Hills 4th of July parade (Park Way to Cedar Hills Blvd 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• 12th annual Middle of Millen Drive Independence Day Parade (4 - 5:00 p.m.)
• 9th Annual C.A.T. Walk

Visit TripCheck.com for Portland or statewide road conditions.

Road Closure Reminders & other News:

Community service workers assigned to road work will take a break from their regular schedule on July 3 and 4. Two community service crews, operating seven days a week, provide litter patrol and landscape maintenance along county roads.

209th Avenue at Butternut Creek at Butternut Creek remains closed through September 4, 2009 to replace an existing Culvert with a bridge.

River Road between SE Rood Bridge Road and SE Witch Hazel Road remains closed through January 2010.

Helvetia Road between Jacobson and West Union will be closed to all traffic, including bicycles, July 13 to 24 for bridge repairs.

Greener Road north of Fern Flat Road will be closed July 13 through 31 for culvert replacement.
 
Barrows Road from Murray Boulevard east to Scholls Ferry Road will be closed to all traffic July 27 through August 18 for bridge repairs.