Washington County commissioners unanimously approved design engineering for a complete overhaul of Herman Road between SW 124th Avenue and SW Cipole Road on Aug. 18, moving a long-planned project closer to construction in the Tualatin-Tigard corridor.
The same 4-0 vote authorized the county to begin acquiring right-of-way for the Stafford Road/65th Avenue/Elligsen Road Improvement Project, including protective rent payments to property owners whose land the county needs.
Both items passed on the consent agenda without discussion. Commissioner Pam Treece made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Jerry Willey, with Chair Kathryn Harrington and Commissioner Nafisa Fai also voting yes.
District 3 Commissioner Jason Snider was absent.
The Herman Road project, designated a "complete street" redesign, covers the stretch between 124th and Cipole. Washington County's Land Use and Transportation department lists it under projects planned for 2026 and beyond. The county awarded the design contract to AKS Engineering & Forestry, a Tualatin-based firm headquartered on Herman Road itself.
The Stafford Road/65th Avenue/Elligsen Road project has been in the county pipeline since at least April, when a similar right-of-way item came before the board at its April 7 meeting. Tuesday's action, Resolution and Order 26-86, formally declared the acquisitions necessary and authorized protective rent payments so tenants on affected parcels are not displaced before construction begins.
The contract amount for the Herman Road design work and the total estimated costs for both projects were not disclosed in draft minutes or agenda materials available as of Wednesday, Aug. 19.
In other business, the board voted 4-0 to legalize a portion of SW Carpenter Creek Road as County Road 3368 after a public hearing at which no one testified. County Engineer Stacy Shetler presented the item.
Commissioners also approved updated procurement rules that included removing the word "equity" from sections where it had not previously been corrected. Assistant County Administrator Ann Ober and Chief Financial Officer John Styer fielded questions from Commissioner Fai on that item.
The board typically meets every two weeks on Tuesdays in the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building Auditorium at 155 N. First Ave. in Hillsboro. Residents can track agenda packets and submit public comment through the county's CivicWeb portal.
