Rendering viewing SW Washington Way looking west towards SW 30th St.
Project Description
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. The schedule has been updated, with work beginning in the fall 2022 with the replacement of a city of Corvallis water line.
Questions and concerns about the Washington Way Improvement Project can be directed to WashingtonWay@oregonstate.edu.
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.
- Major lighting improvements along pedestrian sidewalk and cycle track; along multimodal path south of the road; and at intersections.
Timeline:
2022
- Spring 2022: Tree removal along the north side of Washington Way.
- Spring 2022: Pacific Power relocates two large power vaults associated with the substation at SW 26th St.
- Winter 2022: Installation of replacement water line down Washington Way, a joint project with the city of Corvallis. Water line replacement starts between SW 26th and SW 17th Sts.
2023
- December 2023: Reconstruction of 17th to 30th Street completed
2024
- March 2024: Reconstruction of 30th to 35th Street completed
- May 2024: Landscaping completed
- June 2024: Railroad crossings/signal work completed
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 64 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. 45 large canopy 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.