Lake Road Improvements

Learn more, subscribe to receive updates, and ask questions about the Lake Road Improvements Project by visiting Engage Milwaukie.  

Update (2.15.2022): The traffic signal at 34th/Oatfield and Lake Road is up and running .  

Update (2.14.2022): New Traffic Pattern Ahead at 34th/Oatfield and Lake Road.  The traffic signal is being turned on February 15th about 9:00 a.m.

Update (1.07.2022): Project has been delayed until spring due to weather. Final striping and landscaping to be completed in the spring when weather permits. The traffic signal is ready, but cannot be turned on until markings are installed. The signal will remain a four-way stop until markings are in place.

Update (12.03.2021): Striping moved to this Sunday December 5th depending on weather. Signal will be operational once striping is in place.

Update (11.30.2021): The contractor is close to county approval to place the intersection at 34th/Oatfield back online this week. The weather is expected to be dry from Wednesday, December 1 through Friday, December 3. If it does stay dry, the contractor plans to stripe Lake Road from 21st Ave. to Guilford Dr. Please be cautious of the wet paint. This work includes the new bike lanes on each side of the roadway. Once striping is complete the cones will be removed and parking on Lake Road will not be allowed. 
Items still to finish: Landscaping, retaining walls, driveway connections, school flashers operation, markings, signage, and clean up.

Update (11.12.2021): The contractor has finished the ADA ramps at the 34th/Oatfield intersection. They are still working on the signal due to equipment delays. In addition to the original scope, we are also fixing the major ADA noncompliant sidewalk within the work limits. By Thanksgiving we are hoping to have the landscape, signal, driveways, and retaining walls complete, but this will depend on weather. As for striping and markings, we need a few days of dry weather in order to complete them.

Update (10.15.2021): The weather has not been kind, but we are getting there. We are anticipating the paving crew to wrap up paving the intersection and side streets today and this Saturday. The construction crew is preparing the forms for the ADA ramps to be poured at 34th/Oatfield next week. We have had a shipping delay for the signal, but hope to have it resolved before the end of the month. There are a few more driveways to complete and ADA ramps at 32nd and 27th. The crew will then start working on landscaping, striping, signage, and cleanup.

Update (10.01.2021): The construction crew is making progress as the north signal poles were removed this week and all underground signal wires are complete. Intersection work is difficult, expect continued delays with traffic flow getting through the signal for the next few weeks as the crew puts it back together. The speed limit through the construction site is 20 mph. This is for everyone’s safety that includes, but is not limited to, pedestrians, bicyclists, the construction crew, and vehicles. We anticipate weekend work through the end of the project.

Next Steps: Contractor is preparing to pave at the end of next week the base and top lift east of the intersection.

End Goal: Project completely wrapped up by October 29, 2021.

Update (9.17.2021): The signal at 34th/Oatfield and Lake is anticipated to be under construction for the next four weeks. Expect delays as the crew finishes the underground utilities for the signal, rebuilds the curbs, ADA ramps, sidewalk connections, water quality facilities, and paves the intersection. Remember this is still an active construction site and to slow down. A 20 mph speed limit will be enforced. In order to complete our remaining work contractor at times may need to take a travel lane and have flaggers onsite, so drive and bike with caution. Bikes will be on the roadway within travel lanes until we are ready to install permeant striping. The signal at 34th/Oatfield and Lake will remain a 4-way stop until that work is complete. There will be weekend work through the end of the project.

Next Steps: Contractor is working on the water quality facilities at 27th and 32nd. There is a couple more driveways on the northside to be complete. Work east of the signal at 34th/Oatfield and Lake includes driveways, new curb, roadway reconstruction. Of course, the signal is a major element under construction as well.  

End Goal: Project completely wrapped up by October 29th, 2021.

Update (9.03.2021): Thank you all for your patience! We hit a major milestone this week installing pavement from 34th Ave. to 21st Ave. By end of work today, the crew will have two-way traffic open on Lake Rd. through the whole project which meets our goal. This also means the detour through Guilford Drive/Court at this time will not be necessary.

There will be no work this weekend. However, please remember this is still an active construction site and to slow down. A 20 mph speed limit will be enforced.

In order to complete our remaining work, the contractor at times may need to take a travel lane and have flaggers onsite, so drive and bike with caution. Bikes will be on the roadway within travel lanes until we are ready to install permanent striping. The signal at 34th/Oatfield and Lake will remain a 4-way stop until that work is complete. There is still a work zone north of the cones for the contractor to complete driveways and ADA ramps. This is not a parking or travel lane area.

Next Steps: Contractor will be working on driveways on the north side of Lake Rd., the north connection at 27th, the intersection at 34th/Oatfield and Lake, and east of the intersection to Guilford Dr.

End Goal: Project completely wrapped up by October 29, 2021.

Update (8.26.2021):  Saturday, August 28th work will start at 7:00 AM for paving and will conclude when they finish the northside base most likely around 7:00 PM.  Sunday, August 29th work will start at 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM and working on preparing roadway for final pavement the following week.  Top lift paving is our most critical layer for best quality- we need to stay off the new pavement until it cools. We are getting close, access the updated paving schedule below.

Best Estimate Lake Road Paving Plan (Please note: This plan is subject to change per weather or paving requirements.)

• Saturday, August 28 – Finish northside base
• Monday, August 30 – Start 34th Avenue northside top lift porous asphalt
• Tuesday, August 31 – 23rd Avenue, Willard, and side street base
• Traffic control changes to move all traffic to the northside still traveling west bound
• Wednesday, September 1 – Start 34th Avenue southside top lift porous asphalt
• Thursday, September 2 – Intersections top lift asphalt
• Friday, September 3 – Side streets top lift asphalt & temporary striping for center line

Goal: We are on target for street opened to two-way traffic from west of the signal at 34th Avenue to 21st Avenue by September 7th

Update (8.25.2021): Event tonight at Milwaukie Floral from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kona ICE will be there and don’t forget to social distance and wear your mask when not eating or drinking. We want to make sure everyone is safe. Bring all your questions.

Update (8.19.2021): Saturday August 21st the crew will be paving as planned and grinding off pavement on 23rd Avenue and Willard Street in order to prepare for paving. The updated schedule is below.

Best Estimate Lake Road Paving Plan (Please note: This plan is subject to change per weather or paving requirements.)

• Saturday August 21 – Start 34th Avenue northside base & grinding 23rd Avenue and Willard Street
• Saturday August 28 – Finish northside base
• Monday August 30 – Start 34th Avenue northside top lift porous asphalt
• Tuesday August 31 –23rd Avenue, Willard, and side street base
• Traffic control changes to move all traffic to the northside still traveling west bound
• Wednesday September 1 – Start 34th Avenue southside top lift porous asphalt
• Thursday September 2 – Intersections top lift asphalt
• Friday September 3 – Side streets top lift asphalt
• Saturday September 4 – Stripping center line 

Goal: Street opened to two-way traffic from west of the signal at 34th Avenue to 21st Avenue by September 7th

Event: Do you still have questions about paving or the project and want to talk to someone in person? Come stop by Milwaukie Floral and Garden (3306 SE Lake Rd.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday August 25. There will be a cold treat and drinks available. 

Update (8.13.2021): On Monday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 17 crews will be treating the roadway with cement. You may feel vibrations during this work and it will kick up some dust into the air. This work will create the rock base before the road is paved with the first layer of asphalt. Expect driveway delays and crews will reinstall steel plates and/or rock to get you in and out of your driveway until the road is paved. Please refer to the paving schedule below.

Best Estimate Lake Road Paving Plan (Please note: This plan is subject to change per weather or paving requirements.)

• Saturday, August 21 – Start 34th Ave. north side base
• Saturday, August 28 – Finish north side base
• Monday, August 30 – 23rd Ave., Willard, and side street base
• Tuesday, August 31 – Start 34th Ave. north side top lift porous asphalt
• Traffic control changes to move all traffic to the north side still traveling west bound
• Wednesday, September 1 – Start 34th Ave. south side top lift porous asphalt
• Thursday, September 2 – Intersections top lift asphalt
• Friday , September 3 – Side streets top lift asphalt
• Saturday, September 4 – Striping center line and bike lanes

Goal: Street opened to two-way traffic from west of the signal at 34th Ave. to 21st Ave. by September 7.

Upcoming project event (Wednesday, August 25)

• Do you still have questions about paving or the project and want to talk to someone in person? Stop by Milwaukie Floral and Garden (3306 SE Lake Rd.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25. There will be cold treats and drinks available.

Update (8.5.2021): The signal at 34th Ave. and Lake Rd. has been put into a three way stop in order to upgrade the signal and complete the work around the intersection. Contractor is pouring north side curbs Friday, August 6. There will be access impacts starting at 7 a.m. Crews will reinstall steel plates over the driveways when it is safe to do so. If you need access throughout the day, we recommend moving your car out of your driveway to a new location so you do not get blocked in. Next week the crew will be working on driveway approaches, which will also have access impacts. There will be Saturday work this weekend. The north side sidewalk has limited access with construction so please use the south side sidewalk. Lake Rd. will remain westbound traffic until roadway work is complete and has final pavement markings installed.

Next Steps: City staff are working with the contractor on a plan to complete the final top lift paving. This is critical to ensure top lift paving has proper time to cool so we don’t damage it and it is installed at a high quality. We will be sharing this plan when it is completed so stay tuned.

Current Working Hours: Typical working hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, if work goes long the crew has until 10:00 p.m. to be within city code. An example of when hours go late is during paving operations. As for weekend work, the hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We deeply apologize for the early Saturday mornings as there was a miscommunication between the contractor and city staff. We anticipate Saturday work happening through the month of August, but work starting after 8:00 a.m.

Update (7.30.2021): This week all the water meters on the north side have been moved to make room for the street widening. Next week the crew is installing the stormwater catch basins on the north side and preparing for pouring the new curb from SE 23rd Ave. to SE 34th Ave. This includes preparing driveway approaches. We know that construction is difficult, but we are getting closer to our goal of paving the street so we can open it up again. The sidewalk on the north side of Lake Rd. has limited access with construction so please use the sidewalk on the south side. Lake Road will remain westbound traffic until the roadway work is complete and has final pavement markings installed.

Next Steps: City staff are working with the contractor on a plan to complete the final top lift paving. This is critical to ensure top lift paving has proper time to cool so we don’t damage it and it is installed at a high quality. We will be sharing this plan when it is completed so stay tuned.

Current Working Hours: Typical working hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, if work goes long the crew has until 10:00 p.m. to be within city code. An example of when hours go late is during paving operations. As for weekend work, the hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We deeply apologize for the early Saturday mornings as there was a miscommunication between the contractor and city staff. We anticipate Saturday work happening through the month of August, but work starting after 8:00 a.m.

Update (7.23.2021): This is a construction site so please slow down and follow the traffic control. If you are a pedestrian walking through the construction zone please be careful of different surfaces. On the north side of Lake Rd. the crews are removing the existing curb in order to widen the street for bike lanes. This work includes moving water meters out of the new roadway and into the sidewalk behind the new curb. The crew is currently paving a base layer west of the intersection of 34th Ave. and Oatfield Rd. and east of the intersection to Guilford Dr. There will be Saturday (July 24) work this weekend.

Update (7.16.2021): Traffic has moved to the new base pavement traveling westbound. This is a construction site please slow down and follow the traffic control. On the north side of Lake Road the crews are removing the exiting curb in order to widen the street for bike lanes. The old asphalt roadway is in progress to be grinded off for preparation of rebuilding the roadway.  Crews are working to move the signal to a three way stop at Lake and 34th Avenue.  

Update (7.9.2021): Crews will be onsite Saturday, July 10 pouring concrete to prepare for traffic moving onto the new base lift on Monday, July 12. Traffic will continue to be one way westbound. For the safety of the community and the contractors, remember to slow down, follow traffic control, detours, and flaggers. The next major task is the signal at 34th Ave. and Lake Rd, which will be getting upgraded. In order to complete this work, the signal will be shut off and a three way stop will be implemented next week.

Update (7.2.2021): No work for the July 4 weekend. Crews will be back to work on July 6. We are scheduled to work possibly Saturday July 10 to compete concrete work on the south. Tentative date for moving traffic onto the base layer traveling one way westbound is Monday July 12, 2021. For the safety of the community and the contractors remember to slow down, follow traffic control, detours, and flaggers.

Update (6.25.2021): Progress is happening as we paved this week the base layer on the south side from 34th Ave. to SE 21st Ave. Thank you for your patience as this is not easy work and delays to accessing streets and driveways is frustrating. Crews will be working on the east side of the signal at Oatfield/34th next week, along with fixing sidewalk, accessible ramps, and curbs on the south side so construction can move to the north side of Lake Road. Tentative date for moving traffic onto the base layer traveling one way westbound is July 9, 2021. For the safety of the community and the contractors remember to slow down, follow traffic control, detours, and flaggers.

Update (6.9.2021): This week crews have started the pre-mix process for full depth reclamation base and tilled in the rock and soil and are prepping the roadway to amend with cement. Today and tomorrow, crews are amending cement into the roadbed and grading out the road for base lift paving. Expect short delays in travel with cement trucks entering and exiting the roadway. You may see water trucks spraying water on the roadway all weekend to cure the cemented soil. Paving is scheduled the week of June 21 with an exact date not determined.

Traffic Control in Effect: Work is occurring East of the signalized intersection. This means motorists needing to travel eastbound on Lake Rd., and are coming from either Oatfield Rd., 34th Ave., or 35th Ave., will need to utilize Guilford Dr. from Oatfield back up to Lake Rd. Please see graphic titled Lake Road Detour Map – Phase 2 to show the Guilford Dr. detour. The purpose of this is to repair the road base, asphalt surface, and install storm drainage facilities on the south half of the road.

Update (5.28.2021): This week crews have been pouring new driveways to the residences on the south side of Lake Rd. as well as working on the storm drain system. Next week crews will start to work east of Lake Rd./34th Ave. intersection. See below for additional information about the expanded construction zone.

Closure Update: Next week we will be implementing additional traffic control measures to close the south side of the roadway east of the signalized intersection to SE Guilford Ct. in addition to the already established closure zone. This means motorists needing to travel eastbound on Lake Rd., and are coming from either Oatfield Rd., 34th Ave., or 35th Ave., will need to utilize Guilford Dr. from Oatfield back up to Lake Rd. The detour is anticipated to be established on June 2,2021. Please see the traffic control map (Phase 2) to show the Guilford Dr. detour. The purpose of this is to repair the road base, asphalt surface, and install storm drainage facilities on the south half of the road.

Update (4.30.2021): Crews are working to install drainage structures on the south side of Lake Rd. Crews have begun the installation of the storm mainline from SE 28th Ave. to SE 33rd Pl. Part of this construction activity requires trucks and construction vehicles to enter and exit the work zone to both drop off crushed rock and haul off trench excavations, which requires some flagging. Please use caution and watch for flaggers.

This week crews prepped for the sewer repair work on SE 32nd Ave. They may need to finish up some final prep this Saturday. The subcontractor, K&R Plumbing, will begin pipe bursting on Monday, May 2. This is a single day operation where a pipe will be staged in the street on SE 32nd Ave. with a flagger directing any driveway access traffic and a truck will be in the westbound lane on Lake Rd. at 32nd Ave. A flagger will be there to help direct traffic along delineators to the eastbound lane, around the truck and back to westbound on Lake Rd. Please drive slowly and exercise caution when driving through this area.

Update on Milwaukie High School Buses: Milwaukie High School has started with a flex school schedule. During this time the school buses will be dropping off/picking up students in an angle parked fashion from SE 23rd Ave. to SE 25th Ave. The road will be closed from SE 23rd to SE 25th during the time stated below. Residents on SE 25th Ave. and Northwest Housing Alternatives can now access SE 25th Ave. from SE 27th Ave. at all times.

School pick up / Drop off times:

Monday - Friday (except Wednesday)

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM and
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Update (4.23.2021): Crews are working to install drainage structures on the south side of Lake Rd. Crews have begun the installation of the storm mainline from SE 28th Ave. to SE 33rd Pl. Part of this construction activity requires trucks and construction vehicles to enter and exit the work zone to both drop off crushed rock and haul off trench excavations, which requires some flagging. Please use caution and watch for flaggers.

Next week crews will begin prepping for the sewer repair work on SE 32nd Ave. The preparation includes digging for lateral lines and prepping the new pipe. The new pipe will be installed by way of pipe bursting in which a new pipe with a bursting head is attached to the end of the pipe. Then the new pipe is pulled through the old, deteriorated pipe in order to break up the old pipe and the new pipe stays in the exact place as the old one. This trenchless method requires less time to install and less need for heavy construction vehicles to excavate the trench and install rock for deep sewers. Please watch for steel plates in the roadway.

Reminder about Milwaukie High School: Milwaukie High School started with a flex school schedule on Monday, April 19, 2021 and school will be in session until approximately June 18, 2021. During this time the school buses will be dropping off/picking up students in an angle parked fashion from SE 23rd Ave. This will make westbound Willard St. during drop-off/pick-up times limited and drivers should access Willard St./the High School from 23rd Ave.

School pick up / Drop off times:

Monday - Friday (except Wednesday)

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM and
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Update (4.16.2021): Crews are working to install drainage structures on the south side of Lake Road. Next week, crews will begin installing the storm mainline which will extend necessary storm drainage infrastructure in area that are missing along Lake Road. This storm mainline installation is expected to last for the next two weeks. Part of this construction activity requires trucks to enter and exit the work zone to both drop off crushed rock and haul off trench excavations.

• New Traffic Control Changes: Stop signs have been installed at the intersection of SE Willard St. and SE 27th Avenue to be an All-Way stop sign controlled intersection. In addition, left turns onto SE 27th Avenue from Willard Street will now be allowed. These traffic control changes are temporary for the duration of construction for the Lake Road Improvements project. The main reasons for this temporary change is to allow more movement away from the construction area and allow school buses to make a safe left turn at a stop sign controlled intersection.

• Milwaukie High School Update:  Milwaukie High School will be starting with a flex school schedule on Monday, April 19, 2021 and school will be in session until approximately June 18, 2021. During this time the school buses will be dropping off/picking up students in an angle parked fashion from SE 23rd Avenue. This will make westbound Willard Street during drop-off/pick-up times limited and drivers should access Willard Street/the High School from 23rd Avenue.

School Pick-up / Drop-off times:

Mon-Fri (except Wednesday);

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM and;

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Update (4.09.2021): Temporary one-way westbound traffic control is still in effect from SE 34th Avenue to SE 21st Avenue. Please use caution when navigating this section of Lake Road and watch for trucks entering and exiting the work zone and roadway.

Crews have been working to demo curbs and driveways on the south side of Lake Road in order to prep for the curb machine to come in and lay the new curb in a few weeks. Another crew is currently working on installing new storm manholes and catch basins in the west end of the project. The contractor is prepping and gathering materials for the storm mainline extension from SE 28th Ave. to SE 32nd Avenue. All storm mainline work will be within the current work zone with temporary delays for trucks and equipment to enter and exit the work zone.

Update (3.19.2021): Construction is set to begin next week. Goodfellow Bros. will be mobilizing equipment and materials to the area and will be establishing erosion control measures and getting set up for the first major traffic control change and detour. The eastbound lane (south side of Lake Rd.) will be the first phase of the construction zone. Traffic on Lake Road will be closed to all eastbound traffic from SE 21st Ave. to SE 34th Ave./Oatfield Rd. and set up for One-way westbound only into downtown. Traffic changes are expected to occur on Tuesday, March 23rd and users are instructed to use caution and utilize posted detours. Please See traffic detour map in the downloads section of this web page to see detour route. Traffic wanting to travel eastbound on Lake Road in this section will need to use the detour at SE 21st Ave. and Washington Street and route back to lake Road via Washington Street and SE 34th Avenue. All driveways and residential streets in this work zone will be open for local traffic, however, expect short delays.

Update (1/26/2021): City Council approved Resolution 4-2021 awarding the construction contract to Goodfellow Bros. LLC., and the contract has been executed. City staff in the coming weeks will be reviewing the project schedule, the traffic control plan, and various pre-construction coordination. Construction is anticipated to begin in February or early March. Residents within close proximity of the project will receive initial construction start mailers outlining when construction activities will start.

Update (1/11/2021): The city received public bids in December and Goodfellow Bros. LLC is the apparent low bidder and is set to be the contractor on the Lake Road project. Goodfellow Bros. are based in Washington, however they have regional offices in California, Hawai’i, and Oregon. We are anticipating city council to award the contract to Goodfellow Bros. at the January 19th city council meeting. A construction start date has not yet been set, but construction activities are anticipated to begin February or early March with the majority of the roadwork to be completed in October 2021. 

Update: (9/11/2020): The city has recently chosen to adjust the timeframe of the Lake Road project to go out for construction bidding in Fall 2020, and to be under construction from Winter 2020/2021 to Fall 2021.  While we were very much wanting this section of Lake Road to be repaved and widened by Fall 2020 for our driving and cycling citizens, we were facing a paving deadline of September 30 for installing the pervious pavement riding surface. The project team ultimately did not have the staff design time to cover all the details of pervious pavement needed in a full plan set and a delayed bid would have incurred a rushed construction schedule and increased costs to meet paving deadlines. Switching to an impervious pavement riding surface would have triggered far greater costs for stormwater treatment facilities and the added time to redesign the project. Along with these stormwater benefits, having a pervious pavement riding surface also reduces road spray, glare and hydroplaning since there is little to no water on the surface. The design team will be continually working on this project to maintain the new schedule for design, bid, and construction of this Lake Road widening project.

Update: (2/14/2020): A project open house will be held at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5-7 p.m. The project map (available for download below) has been updated.

Update: (11/09/2019): AKS Engineering started survey work on Oct. 28. Preparation for traffic counts and soil testing is underway.

Update: (10/18/2019): Existing condition survey is to begin soon. The city has entered into an agreement with AKS Engineering for survey work.