Why is a TSP important?

The TSP guides decisions and directs how money is spent on transportation projects. Estacada’s current TSP was written in 2007 and does not reflect current public priorities, the City’s vision for future development, or account for how fast Estacada is growing. Estacada’s population is projected to grow by 75 percent over the next 20 years and we need to think carefully about how to accommodate new residents while preserving Estacada’s special quality of life.

What will the TSP do?

Although the TSP process will not directly fund or build specific projects, having an updated TSP allows the City to apply for state and federal funding in the future. These projects may include:

• Preparing for increased traffic. Growth and regional traffic will cause more congestion on Highway 211 and 224 in the future. 
• Safety improvements. There may be opportunities to improve safety along crash-prone corridors and at high-crash intersections such as where Highway 211 meets Highway 224.
• Better accessibility. Addressing sidewalk gaps, non-ADA compliant ramps, and hazardous crossings can make it easier to walk in Estacada. There may be opportunities for better transit access for people who live outside of downtown. 

Map of Estacada subdivisions 2016-2022
(click to enlarge)

New Development

In the next 20 years, 1,707 new houses and 713 new jobs are forecasted to be added in Estacada and the population will grow from 5,020 to 8,810.

Several subdivisions and mixed-use developments have already been approved in Estacada, which includes 1,428 housing units. The current transportation system will not be able to adequately serve future growth.

Map of future congested intersections
(click to enlarge)

Future Congestion

Based on projected growth, by 2043...

• It will become hard to turn out onto Highway 211-224 and drivers will experience long delays on side streets controlled by stop signs. 
• Minimal new congestion is expected on the highway itself.

Other congested intersections include:

• Eagle Creek Rd/ River Mill Rd 
• NW 6th Ave/ Broadway St

Questions and Concerns

• How can we both encourage tourism-related traffic and mitigate its impacts?
• There are many existing barriers for people with disabilities, poor street lighting, inadequate crossing time at the Broadway signal, and lack of handicapped parking.
• Can we provide affordable transportation options to bring people into town to enjoy the recreational opportunities?
• Can we further incentivize carpooling to reduce congestion during commuting times?
• What should be done to accommodate and encourage increased electric vehicle use?
• The transportation system needs to better accommodate emergency response and evacuation needs.
• Collaborate with the Parks & Recreation Department on a trail system than connects the north and south ends of the City, for both recreational use and daily travel needs.
• Guidance for the application of appropriate traffic calming treatments to address speeding and high traffic volumes on neighborhood streets is needed.
• Better street connectivity is needed in new growth areas to the north and east.
• Reconsider the design widths of new streets in subdivisions.
• Transit stops need to be ADA-compliant and more accessible.
• The highway is becoming congested and with the new growth it will be hard to turn out from the side streets.
• There is concern over recent growth resulting in higher taxes and costs of services to support it.
• Wayfinding signage is needed to improve safety and tourist access.

Key Destinations

Map of key destinations in Estacada
(click to enlarge)

1. SAFETY - Improve the safety of the transportation system for all users.
2. ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION - Complete safe networks of facilities that make walking and biking an attractive choice by people of all ages and abilities.
3. MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY - Promote efficient travel that provides access to goods, services, community facilities, homes, and employment to meet the daily needs of all users, as well as to local and regional activity centers.
4. EQUITY - Support an equitable transportation system that justly allocates the benefits and burdens of transportation projects, policies, plans, and processes. 

5. ENVIRONMENTAL - Minimize environmental impacts on natural resources and encourage carbon-neutral or efficient transportation alternatives.
6. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Promote economic development and tourism.
7. CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND FUNDING - Promote cost effective investments to the transportation system.
8. REGIONAL COORDINATION - Coordinate with other jurisdictions to plan and fund projects that better connect Estacada with the region and are consistent with local, regional, and state plans.

Download the full list of Goals and Objectives (PDF, 139.3 KB).

Walking Network Gaps

• Intermittent or poor condition sidewalks exist, especially in older areas of town. 
• There are few marked or enhanced crossings (with features like curb extensions, median islands, or flashing beacons). 
• There is only one protected opportunity to cross the highway (traffic signal at Broadway Street), which separates much of the city from recreational opportunities. 
• Most sidewalk ramps are deficient and not ADA compliant. 
• Newer residential subdivisions to the north and east will be farther from popular destinations, which could make walking less attractive. 

(Estacada's Active Transportation Plan has already looked at pedestrian facilities in detail, and this process will include those findings and recommendations in the TSP.)

Walking Network

Map of Estacada sidewalks and pedestrian facilities
(click to enlarge)

Biking Network Gaps

The city currently has a shared use path along the river and few separated bike lanes (Highway 211-224 and Wade Street).

• There are no separate facilities for biking on most streets. 
• Bike lanes and shoulders are available on the highway but may not be comfortable for everyone. 
• There is only one protected opportunity to cross the highway (traffic signal at Broadway Street), which separates much of the city from recreational opportunities. 
• Hilly topography can make biking a challenge. 
• Bike parking is not always readily available.

(Estacada's Active Transportation Plan has already looked at bicycle facilities in detail, and this process will include those findings and recommendations in the TSP.)

Biking Network

Transit Network Gaps

Estacada is currently served on weekdays and weekends by Sandy Area Metro (SAM) and TriMet. TriMet buses come hourly.

• The accessibility of some transit stops could be improved. 
• New developments to the east are further away from the current transit corridor, making transit harder to access. 
• 1-hour frequency could be inconvenient. 
• The availability of park and rides may not be well known. 

(The City of Estacada does not determine transit service. Transit related feedback will be shared with SAM and TriMet for consideration in future transit planning efforts.)

More Information

• Sandy Area Metro Map and Schedule
• TriMet Line 30 Map and Schedule

Transit Network

Map of crashes within the city of Estacada
(click to enlarge)

Safety

Crashes

Takeaways based on crash data from 2016-2020: 

• Highway 211-224 and Eagle Creek Rd experience the most crashes. 
• Most crashes resulted in only property damage or minor injuries. 
• Two crashes involved a pedestrian and one involved someone biking. 
• Most crashes involve turning movements and failure to yield at stop signs. 

Evacuation Routes

Evacuation routes did not function effectively during the wildfires of 2020.

Map of congested intersections in Estacada
(click to enlarge)

Intersections

There isn’t much congestion today, but drivers can experience longer delays at the following intersections: 

• Highway 221-224/ Main St 
• Highway 211/ Highway 224