March Active Transportation Newsletter

[Nance WDOG]

Important information for our neighborhood in this Newsletter.

March 31st 5:30-8:30

Neighborhood Bikeway Prioritization Open House

Downtown Fire Station

Bikeway through our neighborhood is next project!

View this email in your browser City of Corvallis Active Transportation Quarterly Newsletter March 2026 You are receiving this email because you indicated your interest in active transportation and/or City of Corvallis transportation options. If you are not interested in receiving these updates, please use the unsubscribe link found at the bottom of this email. City Project Updates Neighborhood Bikeway Prioritization & Scoping Project Begins This project looks at the City’s remaining eleven Neighborhood Bikeway projects identified in the City's Transportation System Plan to help speed up future build outs by prioritizing, and developing, conceptual designs and costs for the top five projects. These projects will be included in the next five-year Capital Improvement Program. Join us for an in-person open house on Tuesday, March 31st, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Downtown Fire Station (400 NW Harrison Blvd) to give input on the prioritization of the Neighborhood Bikeway projects. There will be no set presentation for the event — come and go as you please. There will also be an online open house, starting the same day. For more information, visit the project page. Highland & Circle Protected Intersection Update Design of the future protected intersection at NW Highland Drive and Circle Boulevard is nearly complete. The project includes: A reduction of vehicle lanes on Circle Blvd A right turn only lane westbound on Circle Blvd A bicycle signal for the westbound bike lane Buffered bike lanes on Circle Blvd, matching those to the west Corner refuge islands, separating bicyclists and vehicles Enhanced street lighting View the updated plans here and FAQ page here. Protected intersections improve safety by reducing the speed of turning traffic, improving sightlines, and designating separate space for all road users. This project will be Corvallis’ first fully protected intersection. The recently completed ODOT project along Harrison Boulevard, between 2nd and 4th Streets, features three partially protected intersections. NW 17th St Bike and Pedestrian Bridge Now in Design The NW 17th Street Bike and Pedestrian Bridge Project will build a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Dixon Creek, along with a paved path, to connect 17th Street on both sides of the creek. This project is identified in the Transportation System Plan as a high priority and will provide a key connection for the future 16th/17th Neighborhood Bikeway. A preliminary conceptual alignment of the new path is now available to view at on the project page. Design work will continue through 2026. The construction schedule is tentatively set for summer 2027, barring any unforeseen delays. Van Buren Bridge Project Update Work on the new Van Buren Bridge is nearing completion. The intersection of Van Buren Avenue and 1st Street is now open to all modes of transportation. There are a few active transportation elements that are still under construction, including: A protected bike lane on Van Buren Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets Shared use paths under the Van Buren Bridge (both sides of the river) For more information, visit the ODOT project page. North Benton County Community Pathways Project Update Benton County and ODOT are working on a planning/design project for new paths and associated bridges on the north side of Corvallis. The project includes planning for two bike and pedestrian bridges: Over Jackson Creek for the proposed Corvallis to Adair Village Path. Over OR 99W and the railroad tracks to connect the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center to the Cheldelin neighborhood.​ In October, the Benton County Board of Commissioners selected the eastside alignment for the north-south path between Lancaster Street and Elliott Circle. A summary of the alternatives analysis and first open house is now available (scroll to the bottom of the project page). The second open house is scheduled for April. The project team will be looking for feedback about the bridge over the highway, aesthetic bridge treatments, and the design of the east ramp from the bridge down to Lancaster Street. For more information and to sign up for updates, visit ODOT’s project page. Corvallis-Albany Path Project Update Benton County and ODOT are planning a shared use path between NE Merloy Avenue and NW Rainwater Lane that will create a low-stress connection between Corvallis and Albany. A summary of the first open house and the alignment screening report are now available (scroll to the bottom of the project page). This spring the project team will hold a second open house to gather input about the refined list of potential path alignments and key crossings of U.S. 20 and the railroad. For more information and to sign up for updates, visit ODOT’s project page. City News School Zone Flashing Lights Installed at Lincoln Elementary Two sets of solar powered flashing beacons have been installed with new school zone speed limit signs adjacent to Lincoln Elementary School on 3rd Street in South Corvallis. The flashers activate for roughly 30 minutes before the start and after the release of school. Outside of these times, the speed limit defaults to the posted speed of 30 mph. Research shows that adding flashers and adjusting the time when lights flash (all day vs targeted times when kids are visibly out) helps for driver compliance. This project was funded by an Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School grant. New Bike Racks Installed Downtown Since creating an inventory of public bike parking in 2022, we’ve identified priority locations for rack replacements and new rack installations. This past quarter, our team installed 10 new single hoop racks around downtown to replace damaged ones. The new racks are located in front of the Post Office, Koriander, Dairy Queen, Corvallis Cyclery, Laughing Planet, Wise Photo, and New Morning Bakery. Tyler Avenue Bicycle Guide Signs Installed 28 new bicycle guide signs have been installed along the Tyler Avenue Neighborhood Bikeway. These signs direct riders to important destinations, showing travel time and mileage. This installation marks the completion of the first phase of the Tyler Avenue Neighborhood Bikeway. Plans for the 9th and Tyler intersection crossing continue to move forward. For more information about the Tyler Avenue Bikeway, visit the project page. Speed Limit Reduced on Circle Boulevard The City has recently reduced the speed limit on Circle Boulevard between Kings Boulevard and 9th Street from 35 to 30 mph. Temporary signage warning of the change has been posted in advance of the new speed limit signs. Changes to speed limits within the City require a speed zone investigation by the Oregon Department of Transportation to determine if an adjustment is warranted. Get Ready for the New April Get There Commute Challenge Get There Oregon is hosting its first-ever commute challenge, April 13-26! Employers and worksites across Oregon are invited to join this friendly two-week competition to promote greener, more active, and more affordable transportation options and help make our state an even better place to live, work, and play!   Employees can log their walk, bike, transit, carpool, vanpool, and remote work commute trips to help their workplace network climb the leaderboard for bragging rights and the chance to win cash prizes. Learn more at GetThereOregon.org/CommuteChallenge. Transportation Tips Understanding Bike Signals With recent infrastructure projects, Corvallis is home to an increasing number of dedicated bicycle signals. These signals give priority to people riding bicycles and facilitate safer crossings. Some signals have a fully protected phase for bicyclists, restricting vehicle turning movements, while other signals have a leading phase, where bicyclists get a head start. Similar to typical traffic signals, bike signals have a red, yellow and green indication, but feature a bicycle-shaped symbol. Existing bicycle signal locations: SE 3rd Street and Crystal Lake Drive (fully protected phase): This bike signal is unique in that it is only for southbound bicyclists crossing from the shared use path on the east side of the highway to the southbound bike lane. Detection occurs via camera. SW Washington Way and 15th Street: This signal is for both eastbound and westbound cyclists that are transitioning from the separated two-way cycle track on Washington Way to standard bike lanes on 15th Street. Detection occurs via loops in the ground. Coming Soon: NW Van Buren Avenue and 1st Street: This signal is for eastbound cyclists on Van Buren Avenue, continuing straight onto the Van Buren Bridge. Bicycle signals are also planned for the crossing of NW 9th Street at Tyler Avenue and the protected intersection project at NW Highland Drive and Circle Boulevard. Community Spotlight Adopt-A-Path Volunteers