The Safe Routes to School: Templeton-Twality and Murdock Street Improvements Projects are now complete!

The walking and biking routes for pedestrian access to Templeton Elementary School and Twality Middle School along SW Murdock Street, SW 97th Avenue, SW 96th Avenue, and SW Sattler Street were missing sections of sidewalk. Pedestrian crossings along the routes had documented safety concerns with pedestrians and cyclists. The crossings were barriers for students to walk and roll to school due to vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, and the lack of enhanced crossing treatments.

Murdock Street was a narrow neighborhood street with little to no shoulder space along most of the roadway. Steep drainage ditches lined the road in some spots, making walking space very limited. The City of Tigard desired to create a safe route along Murdock Street for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The City of Tigard was awarded funding through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to address safety deficiencies on walking and biking routes to school for Templeton Elementary School and Twality Middle School.

• Utility Relocations: Summer 2024 – Spring 2025
• Construction Bidding: January 2025
• Construction: May 1, 2025 - Fall of 2025

For the SRTS Templeton/Twality project, all four intersections have been enhanced with sidewalk, curb ramps, signage, and striping.

• O’Mara Street/McDonald Street *
• 98th Avenue/McDonald Street *
• 97th Avenue/Mountain View Lane
• 96th Avenue/Sattler Street **

(*) Improvements also include intersection lighting and/or advanced warning flashing beacons. 

(**) Completed sidewalk infill along Sattler Street between 96th Avenue and 94th Avenue.

 

(Murdock Street Crossing Improvements)

(McDonald Street at 98th Avenue - Crossing Improvements)

 

An ADA accessible 12’ wide paved and lighted pathway was installed through East Butte Heritage Park providing an all-weather walkway to residents entering the park from 104th Ave and serving residents from Murdock Street to the west.

(East Butte Heritage Park Trail) 

For the SRTS Murdock Street Improvements, sidewalk infill was completed along Murdock Street from 103rd Avenue and 96th Avenue, approximately 1,950 feet (just over 1/3rd of a mile).

(Pavement and Sidewalk Conditions Pre-Improvement)

 
(Murdock Street Sidewalk Improvements) 

Five intersections were enhanced with sidewalk, curb ramps, signage, and striping. 

• 96th Avenue/Murdock Street
• 97th Avenue/Murdock Street
• 98th Avenue/Murdock Street
• 103rd Avenue/Murdock Street
• 100th Avenue/Murdock Street

Stormwater improvements for both projects included installing 3,300 feet (0.62 miles) of new drainage pipe, 40 new structures, and a stormwater quality facility providing 128,000 square feet (0.3 acres) of stormwater treatment.

These projects filled gaps in the sidewalk between SW 103rd Avenue and SW 96th Avenue with a 10-foot wide multiuse-use path. The selected 10-foot-wide multi-use path design provided a safe separation between pedestrians and vehicle traffic.

These projects focused on making it safer and easier for kids and families to walk or bike to Templeton Elementary and Twality Middle School. Several streets were improved to fix long-standing safety and access issues.

For you as a neighbor, this project means: 

• New & Improved Sidewalks: Sidewalks were added or repaired so students, parents with strollers and neighbors can walk and roll safely without going into the street or uneven surfaces.

• Curb Ramps (ADA Accessible Corners): Sloped curb ramps were installed at intersections so wheelchairs, bikes, scooters and strollers can move smoothly from sidewalks to crossings without barriers.

• Improved Signage: New signs alert drivers that they are entering school zones or pedestrian areas, encouraging slower speeds and more attentive driving.

• Road Striping & Crosswalk Markings: Fresh paint clearly shows where cars should drive and where people should cross, helping everyone understand how to share the road safely.

• Intersection Lighting: Brighter lighting was added at key intersections so drivers can better see pedestrians and cyclists- especially during early mornings, evenings or cloudy days.

• Advanced Warning Flashing Beacons: Flashing lights activate when people are crossing, catching drivers’ attention and reminding them to slow down and stop when needed.

• Stormwater Drainage Improvements: Drainage was upgraded to reduce puddles, flooding and icy spots on sidewalks and paths, making routes safer year-round and protecting nearby streets and properties.

• 8-Foot to 10-Foot-Wide Multi-Use Path: A wide path was built to give pedestrians and cyclists a separate space away from vehicle traffic, making trips to school safer, more comfortable, and less stressful. Parts of the path were reduced to 8 feet to mitigate tree impacts.

What This Means for the Neighborhood:

• Safer routes for kids walking or biking to school
• More confidence for parents letting children travel independently
• Reduced traffic congestion near schools
• A healthier, more walkable community for everyone