Image shows SW Washington Way traveling west between SW 26th Street and SW 30th Street

This project aims to improve safety and connectivity by reconstructing the Washington Way corridor while encouraging active modes of transportation on the OSU Corvallis campus.

Washington Way, an important corridor running east-to-west through campus, will be improved over the next few years using a phased approach. We anticipate Phase 1 to begin in 2020 and work is expected to start at the west end of Washington Way.

Improvements include:

  • Relocation of the roadway farther away from the railroad tracks (10 feet north of current roadway).
  • Construction of cycle track and wide pedestrian sidewalks. 
  • Improved curbs and streetscapes to the north of the roadway.

Project Details

Project Status: 
Active
Project Progress: 
Green
Project Category: 
Infrastructure improvements
Projected Completion Date: 
2022
Project Budget: 
$24 million
Type of Project: 
Other

People

Project Manager: 
Aaron Collett
Last Updated: 
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Frequently Asked Questions about the Washington Way Improvements

Why is OSU in charge of this project?

Washington Way on campus is an OSU owned street, and OSU is responsible for the street infrastructure.

Why are the Washington Way Improvements being done?

The safety of our students, staff and visitors is of utmost importance to OSU. Improving Washington Way will make the roadway safer for all travelers and will improve connectivity among campus and will provide more opportunities for travelers to use alternative modes of transportation.

How will parking be affected by the Washington Way Improvements?

Approximately 123 parking spaces directly adjacent to Washington Way (90 spaces south of Student Legacy Park (lot 3293), 14 spaces at Navy ROTC Armory (lot 3265), 15 spaces in the parking lot east of Goss Stadium (lot 3261), and 4 spaces along Benton Place (3268)) will be eliminated for the relocation of the roadway. 

Will the parking spots be replaced on campus?

No. The proposed Washington Way project includes construction of a cycle track (two-way bike facility), an investment that will facilitate bicycle trips and help lower campus parking demand. Additionally, OSU’s Parking Utilization Rate of 73 percent indicates there is sufficient parking capacity to absorb the loss of these parking spaces.

Shouldn’t parking spaces that were removed due to construction be relocated?

The Division of Finance and Administration Policy on Parking Replacement (Facilities and Grounds, Section 005-01) requires that parking removed within a construction project be replaced. However, this policy only refers to building construction and not infrastructure improvements. 

Will the trees south of the Tennis Pavilion (adjacent to Washington Way) be removed?

Yes, to facilitate the relocation of the roadway. New trees will be planted as part of the project.

Will the trees north of Merritt Truax Indoor Center (adjacent to Washington Way) be removed? 

No.