Thank you to everyone who provided comments on the latest design of Allen Creek Road. Although the comment period is now closed, you can still view the design using the links below.
We have posted our summary of feedback (338 KB) and updated our FAQ page with answers to some questions we received about the design.
Or, download our latest fact sheet: Allen Creek Road Fact Sheet, Summer 2023 (9.1 MB)
About the Project
Neighbors gathered at the November 2022 open house to review the project design and talk with the design team.
Allen Creek Road between West Harbeck and Denton Trail is currently a two-lane rural road with narrow shoulders and no bicycle or pedestrian facilities. The connecting roadways to the north and south of this section are already improved, and this section creates a gap without safe sidewalks or bicycle facilities. Today, the roadway is barricaded at Denton Trail which leads to a large amount of out of direction travel in the area.
The Allen Creek Road Improvements Project will bring this section of roadway up to city standards with improvements that include:
- Wider travel lanes
- New sidewalks
- Wider shoulders with bicycle facilities
- Traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds
The project will create a safer and smoother roadway for drivers and improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Schedule
- Project Design: Winter 2022 – Winter 2023
- Utility Relocation and Right of Way: Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
- Construction: Summer 2024 – Winter 2025
(Schedule is subject to change.)
Project Area
What’s happening now?
Expect to see utility relocations now through spring 2024. Grants Pass Irrigation District will be relocating irrigation services in fall 2023.
Click to enlarge. Estimated dates are tentative and subject to change. (Updated 7/7/23.)
What will this project do?
This project will upgrade the section of Allen Creek Road between West Harbeck Road and Denton Trail to arterial standards. Improvements will include restriping and expanding the footprint of the street to include two travels lanes, a center turn lane, shoulders and bicycle facilities, and sidewalks.
Why is this project necessary?
The Allen Creek Road Improvement Project has several goals:
- Improve pedestrian, cyclist, and driver safety.
- Create a more walkable and bikeable street.
- Connect important roads and improve access to the city
- Take advantage of available federal funding that will reduce costs to the local community.
Where did the roadway design come from?
The roadway design has been developed based on public feedback and is similar to other arterial streets in Grants Pass. The width matches Allen Creek Road to the north of Harbeck Road and south of Denton Trail. This design also reflects feedback about driveways and sidewalks that we received at the November 2022 open house.
Is this the final design?
Yes. As of June 2023, the roadway cross-section and footprint are considered to be mostly final. Small details, such as the placement of driveways, streetlights, and street trees may change based on conversations with property owners.
Will this project change the intersection of Allen Creek and New Hope Road?
No. Intersection improvements were eliminated from this project after a traffic study determined that the intersection didn’t warrant a traffic signal within the planning horizon. Eliminating this work also helped to keep the cost of the project lower.
A signal may be considered if traffic volumes increase in the future and would likely be funded by fees from new development.
How will the road affect utilities?
The project team has been coordinating with utility providers and the new design accommodates existing utilities as much as possible. Utilities that will be impacted by construction - including private utilities such as irrigation lines - will be relocated.
If you have questions about irrigation, contact Grants Pass Irrigation District at 541-476-2582.
What will happen to driveways, trees, and structures that are next to the road?
The project will rebuild one driveway per property to provide street access. Some trees, fences, mailboxes, and other structures that are too close to the road will need to be removed (see the map inside for more information). If this is necessary, property owners will be contacted individually about specific impacts. By law, all property must be purchased at fair market value and property owners will have access to any information used in the appraisal process.
How will the new design help slow down traffic? (Updated 9/15/2023)
The new road will use a slight curve and center medians to help reduce vehicle speed. These features allow space for bikes and larger vehicles but help slow down traffic because the road won’t feel as wide.
The City also plans to change the intersection of Allen Creek Road and West Harbeck Road to a four-way stop, though the additional stop-sign may not be installed as part of this project.
Why are speed humps not used in the new design? (Added 9/15/2023)
Speed humps and speed tables are often used on smaller streets to force drivers to slow down. Humps are not allowed on arterial streets like Allen Creek Road because the constant slowing down and speeding up associated with speed humps would disrupt the flow of higher speed (35 mph) traffic. Arterial streets also serve as designated emergency routes and do not allow speed humps since they would slow down emergency response vehicles.
Does the design include planters?
We have heard concerns from residents about planter maintenance, so the current design only uses tree wells, landscaping on some medians, and water quality swales that are required by environmental laws. The City will be responsible for maintaining these facilities.
When will construction begin?
Construction is currently planned for early 2024.
Who is managing this project?
The City of Grants Pass owns the road and will be coordinating with Josephine County and utilities to complete the project. The project is funded through state and federal grants with a local match that are administered by ODOT.
How much will this project cost?
The project is funded from a combination of local and federal sources. The local cost is approximately $3.3M, with an additional $7.0M provided by state and federal sources.
Find out more information on ODOT's Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
See the contact us page for more information.
What We've Heard
The City has been meeting with property owners along Allen Creek Road since early 2016. Through neighborhood meetings, open houses, and site visits, the City has heard public feedback about:
- Minimizing the roadway footprint,
- Reducing property impacts.
- Finding ways to slow down or mitigate impacts from increased traffic.
- Concerns about maintaining new planting areas.
- Construction impacts to utilities and irrigation lines.
The current roadway design has been updated to address many of these issues.
Project Information
Meetings and Open Houses
Survey and Responses
Previous Design Maps
64' ROW Sections
68' ROW Sections
66' ROW Sections
For more information
Wade Elliott - Assistant Public Works Director, Grants Pass
welliott@grantspassoregon.gov, 541-450-6114