Page 113 - TransportationPlanUsetsGuide

Freight Element
Washington County is often dubbed the “Economic Engine of Oregon.” Led by established industry clusters in high-tech,
clean-tech, and active-wear, Washington County is home to more than 230,000 jobs and the highest average weekly
wages in Oregon. Critical to maintaining and raising this status is the efficient movement of goods by road, rail, and air.
This element includes information on existing conditions and future needs for roadway freight, freight rail, and air cargo;
general aviation and pipelines are also covered. In addition, this element includes the Truck Route map and the Avia-
tion, Railroad, and Pipeline map. Efficient freight movement is also addressed in TSP Goal 2: Economic Vitality, which
provides specific objectives and strategies related to goods movement.

ROADWAY FREIGHT CONNECTIONS
This section primarily addresses the transport of freight on roadways because it is the only mode of freight travel over
which Washington County has control. Significant amounts of freight are transported by rail and pipeline, and, to a
much-lesser extent, air. However, planning for these modes is done by private companies or other government agencies.
Rail, pipeline, and air travel modes are described as separate elements later in this element. Given the close connec-
tion between freight movement and economic growth, it is critically important for Washington County’s freight connec-
tions to provide efficient and reliable transportation of goods. To keep pace with the demand for freight movement,
which is expected to double by 2035, Washington County must identify and address gaps and deficiencies in the freight
transportation network.

The following section identifies key freight connections and summarizes existing freight needs, including previous find-
ings regarding freight system needs from Metro’s 2014 RTP, the Metro Regional Freight Plan, and the ODOT Portland
Region Economic Corridor Evaluation Report. Freight is transported via intermodal, roadway, rail, air, and marine facili-
ties. Each of these modes is an important element of the goods movement system in Washington County and the Port-
land metropolitan region. While all modes are important, the majority of freight is moved via roadways. Approximately
67 percent of freight tonnage in the Portland metropolitan area moved by truck in 2000. The following section identifies
freight roadway designations and truck demand in Washington County.

Freight Route Designations
The Countywide Truck Route system is an important element of the County’s transportation system plan. To provide for
the most efficient transport of freight, and to minimize negative impacts on residential neighborhoods, Truck Routes are
designated primarily on Arterial and Collector roads. Truck Route designations in the TSP encourage the use of these
routes for truck travel, but do not restrict truck travel or local pickup and delivery by truck to these routes. The primary
purpose of designating Truck Routes in this plan is to ensure that any future improvements on these roads provide for
the safe and efficient movement of trucks. Washington County Truck Route designations are defined and mapped later
in this element.

Hazardous Materials
Transport of hazardous materials is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under Title 49 Code
of Federal Regulations, Parts 390-397, and is not governed by local jurisdictions. Hazardous materials include a variety
of substances, ranging from radioactive materials and medical wastes to gasoline. The transport of nonradioactive
hazardous materials requires that vehicles transporting these materials comply with any routing designations of a state,
be placarded or marked, and not go through or near heavily populated areas, places where crowds are assembled, tun-
nels, narrow streets, or alleys, except where there is no practicable alternative. The transport of radioactive materials
is generally restricted to designated preferred routes on interstate highways, beltways, or bypasses, where alternative
routes have not been designated by a state. Transport of hazardous materials is permitted on all Through Truck Routes
within Washington County. However the Vista Ridge tunnel just east of Washington County on US 26 is closed to such
traffic. As a result, hazardous materials are often transported via NW Cornelius Pass Road or OR 217.

PART 3: TRANSPORTATION MODAL ELEMENTS 97
Effective November 27, 2015 • Updated December, 15 2016