After nineteen months since the first tree was cut at the start of the project, the traffic signal at SE 32nd Ave. at SE Johnson Creek Blvd. in the Portland city limits of Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood was turned on Wednesday.
Gone is the three-way stop with a single blinking red light.
The Oregon Department of Transportation mandated traffic mitigation for the new TriMet Tacoma Street/Johnson Creek MAX light rail station intersection on SE Tenino St. viaduct at SE McLoughlin Blvd. (Ore. 99E), a state highway.
In February 2104, the project began with clearing trees to widen SE Johnson Creek Blvd. for a right turn lane and a retaining wall later in the summer. The widening and pole installation project completed in March 2015. Waiting on relocating utility lines and vehicle detection equipment delayed the signal activation.
Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association opposed the traffic signal and a proposed signal to the west at SE 42nd Ave.
Milwaukie City Council in April 2010 voted 4-1 against the traffic signal on SE Johnson Creek Blvd. at SE 42nd Ave. in Milwaukie.
The new signal is now one of the two signals on SE 32nd Ave. The other is to the south at SE Harrison St.
(Photo: Bryan Dorr)