Watching the traffic on Durham Road—which I do from my kitchen window—no one would know that freight traffic is prohibited on this road. Nothing larger than 20,000 GVW (a local delivery truck) should be driving on it between 99W and Hall. But I’ve seen double-length tankers, car carriers and flatbed semis loaded with heavy machinery go by, along with countless regular semis.
The traffic planners for Tigard, Washington County and Metro also aren’t aware of the type and volume of traffic on Durham Road. All of their maps classify this road as a “Minor Arterial” or “Arterial,” which by definition only “provide[s] inter-neighborhood connections.” That means local traffic. Anyone who knows this road knows that this isn’t the reality.
The disconnect between reality and planning, and the one between the posted weight prohibition and what type of traffic is there, has caused real harm.
On March 11th, a woman who regularly took 3-mile walks in the area suffered multiple fractured bones when struck by a ratchet strap (a 6-inch metal cube on a strap) that flew off of a flatbed truck driving on Durham Road. The driver didn’t stop, apparently unaware that their negligence had put someone in the hospital and on a long road to recovery.
Neighborhoods aren’t good places for freight corridors, but especially areas frequented by low-income earners, older people and kids. I’m referring to the High Equity Need Area, the 55+ community and Tigard High School, Creekside Community High School and the entrance to Durham Elementary that all line Durham Road. The GVW weight restriction is there for a reason.
The city already knows from public feedback that shaped the 2020 Transportation System Plan that Tigard residents want to “discourag[e]… cut-through traffic,” and to “provide a safe… transportation system for all users, especially pedestrians and other vulnerable [people].”
With GVW enforced, we could prevent more pedestrian injuries on Durham Road. All of us can accomplish this, by communicating with transportation planners (see below) and calling Tigard’s Police Non-Emergency number (503-629-0111) for freight and other traffic violations. The police might have difficulty responding to a sighting of freight in time to catch them, but they will accept photographic evidence (best with a license plate showing).
A viable alternative for freight traffic lies a few miles south: the Tualatin-Sherwood Road. But freight won’t bother to use different routes unless citizens take action. Tell the transportation planners and the police why freight should not be on Durham Road, now and in the future.
CONTACT the City and Transportation Planners About Durham Road Traffic:
Tigard City Council:
CouncilMail@tigard-or.gov
Tiffany Gehrke, Tigard’s Principal Transportation Planner:
tiffany.gehrke@tigard-or.gov
Washington County Community and Transportation Planning:
lutplan@washingtoncountyor.gov
Metro Transportation Planning:
transportation@oregonmetro.gov
