Washington County is moving forward with its 124th Avenue Project, which calls for the construction of a two-lane arterial from Tualatin-Sherwood Road to Grahams Ferry Road.  As set forth on the Project’s website:

The primary purpose of the proposed Project between Tualatin-Sherwood Road and Grahams Ferry Road is to provide access to land designated for future industrial development and jobs on unincorporated, developable land between the cities of Tualatin, Sherwood, and Wilsonville.

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The project area is situated in the unincorporated southeastern portion of Washington County between the City of Sherwood to the west, the City of Tualatin to the east, and the City of Wilsonville to the south. The northern terminus of the Project is the existing three-legged intersection of Tualatin-Sherwood Road and SW 124^th Avenue that extends north from Tualatin-Sherwood Road. The southern terminus of the Project is Grahams Ferry Road.

Washington County has elected to construct “Option 4,” which targets the taking of 33 properties in whole or part.  While this Project undoubtedly serves a legitimate public purpose, whether the owners of the impacted properties will receive just compensation is another matter.

The Project’s published schedule indicates that Washington County will begin “right of way acquisition” in the Summer of 2014, with construction slated to begin in the Spring of 2015.