Oregon Highway 217 Modernization Project

Emery & Sons began work, in March 2009, on the OR 217 Modernization project. The total project cost is $ 42 Million with $ 35.5 Million designated for construction. The project will take place on OR 217 from the TV Highway north to US 26 and will include the following elements:

Adding a third northbound lane on OR 217 from the TV Highway on-ramp to US 26
Building retaining walls and improving drainage on OR 217
Paving and striping the project area and all the OR 217/US 26 interchange
Lengthening the Wilshire Street overpass to accommodate the wider highway
Improving visibility and safety on the Wilshire Street off-ramp in the OR 217/US 26 interchange
Restriping OR 217 southbound to add an auxiliary lane from the Wilshire Street on-ramp to the Walker Road off-ramp
Widening the Walker Road off-ramp from OR 217 northbound

Once complete, motorists will have three northbound through lanes between TV Highway and US 26. The additional northbound lane will help eliminate the weaving that occurs between TV Highway and Walker Road as motorists are simultaneously entering and exiting the highway. In addition, sight distance will be improved when traveling between OR 217 northbound and US 26 eastbound.