Page 29 - TransportationPlanUsetsGuide

Economic Vitality
The transportation system plays a critical role in the economic vitality of Washington County. In 2013 Wash-
ington County was home to over 232,000 jobs and the highest average weekly wages in Oregon. Continued
economic health depends on effectively serving the transportation needs of businesses large and small,
including the people who work, shop and/or provide services. For the movement of goods, this means
providing reliable freeway and arterial access to and from major employment areas, and helping railroad
companies move goods efficiently and safely. Employers also need access to a sufficient labor market within
a reasonable commute time and by multiple modes.

Economic vitality is addressed in the TSP in the following ways:

• Designating a safe, reliable network of truck routes, including routes for hazardous materials
and over-dimensional vehicles.

• Working with private railroad operators to continue the efficient movement of rail freight.
• Ensuring that airports and pipelines are planned, sited, and operated in accordance with all ap-
plicable regulations.
• Encouraging infrastructure investments in economic activity centers.
• Making sure employers have adequate access to the labor market.
• romoting rural economic vitality by accommodating safe, reliable travel for the agricultural,
forestry and tourism industries.
Additional considerations on the components of economic vitality are provided below.

Truck Routes ADOPTED TEXT
Most freight in Washington County is expected to be shipped by truck in the future. To provide for the most ef-
ficient transport of freight and to minimize impacts on residential neighborhoods, Through Truck Routes are des-
ignated primarily on Arterial and Collector roads. The truck route designations in the TSP encourage, but do not
require, truck drivers to use these routes. The primary purpose of designating truck routes in the TSP is to identify
where future improvements on these roads should provide for the safe and efficient movement of trucks.

Hazardous Materials Trucking
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 materi-
als include a variety of substances, ranging from radioactive materials and medical wastes to gasoline. The
transport of non-radioactive 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 popu-
lated areas, places where crowds are assembled, tunnels, 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. The transport of hazardous materials is permitted on all Through Truck Routes within the county. How-
ever, 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 Cornelius Pass Road or OR 217.

Over-Dimensional Vehicles
Over-dimensional vehicles are trucks with wide or long loads that require a special permit. Washington
County Operations Division maintains and annually updates a pre-approved over-dimension permit route map
to facilitate such vehicles.

PART 2: GENERAL TRANSPORTATION POLICIES FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY 19
Effective November 27, 2015 • Updated December, 15 2016