Hwy 26 Bypass Feasibility Study

On December 13, 2021 the Sandy City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) staff, and DKS Associates held a work session to discuss the results of a Hwy 26 Bypass Feasibility Study. The full text of the study is linked at the bottom of this page. 

The study was undertaken to evaluate positive and negative impacts to the community that may result from a bypass, to define a conceptual alignment, and to define an estimated cost.  The study includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of the existing and future transportation system performance, potential benefits and negative impacts to local businesses, safety considerations, hard costs associated with different aspects of a bypass system, traffic forecasts, and policy and regulatory considerations that would need to be evaluated with a bypass.

Background:

Major state highways are frequently the main street in small and medium-sized communities. This means that highways sometimes serve local, as well as regional, travel. Freight and through traffic in these communities contribute to traffic congestion and have other adverse impacts on quality of life. A highway bypass may be appropriate in communities where heavy truck traffic causes continuing unacceptable impacts, such as noise, fumes, and safety concerns. It may also be appropriate where a high percentage of trips are just passing through the community.

Estimated Cost and Conceptual Alignment:

As defined in the Bypass Feasibility Study, the cost to construct a Highway 26 bypass is estimated at approximately $365 million to $390 million in 2021 dollars and $980 million to $1 billion in 2040 dollars. There are also costs associated with the jurisdictional transfer of the existing Highway 26 section (5 miles) that currently runs through Sandy. If and when a bypass facility is constructed, the City of Sandy would assume ownership for a portion of Highway 26. The evaluation also includes a conceptual design and alignment of the bypass and how it might possibly interact and connect with the existing and planned street and highway network.

When reviewing the study, please realize the placeholder alignment is merely conceptual at this time.

Next Steps:

If the Council decides to officially adopt the project, the next step will involve defining the bypass as a project in the revised Transportation System Plan (TSP) which is anticipated to occur in June of 2023. Future steps will include meeting with state and local agencies (i.e., the Department of Land Conservation and Development, ODOT, Clackamas County, etc.) to gain support for the bypass as a regional priority, addressing regulatory requirements related to environmental planning and land use allowance, getting Clackamas County to add the bypass as a project in the County TSP, and identifying a funding strategy.   

If you have any questions please contact the Development Services Director, Kelly O'Neill Jr. at koneill@ci.sandy.or.us.