Polk County 9/15/2026 Tuesday Work Session

The Polk County Board of Commissioners held a work session on September 15, 2026, primarily discussing local road infrastructure and traffic safety concerns related to upcoming construction projects. Key topics included planned railroad crossing replacements on Bethel Road and Stevenson Road, with associated temporary road closures. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the impact of the Kings Valley Highway roundabout construction, scheduled to begin in February 2027, on traffic volumes and safety at the South Perrydale Road and Highway 22 intersection. Commissioners expressed concerns about increased traffic and crash risks due to detours and existing road conditions, debating potential speed reductions both on Highway 22 and Perrydale Road during construction to mitigate crash severity. The board planned to engage with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to advocate for these safety measures, including a formal request to insist on speed limit reductions during the construction period. No contract awards, vendor selections, or budget allocations were discussed during this session.