What Are Auxiliary Lanes?
Auxiliary lanes are ramp-to-ramp connections on the highway that reduce congestion by giving drivers more space and time to merge safely. This decreases conflicts, improves safety and the flow of traffic, and ultimately allows the existing lanes to work more efficiently.
Our studies show that auxiliary lanes reduce crashes by 20-30%. Fewer crashes mean a safer and more efficient highway.
New Auxiliary Lanes
- For southbound travelers, a fully-connected auxiliary lane will run from Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway to OR 99W.
- Drivers entering OR 217 southbound from Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway will not need to merge left in order to continue on the highway. The new auxiliary lane will become an "exit only" lane at OR 99W.
- For northbound travelers, a new auxiliary lane will connect OR 99W to SW Greenburg Road. A second auxiliary lane will continue to SW Scholls Ferry Road.
- Drivers entering OR 217 northbound from OR 99W will not need to merge left in order to continue on the highway. The far right auxiliary lane will become an "exit only" lane at Greenburg Road. The second auxiliary lane will become an "exit only" lane at Scholls Ferry Road.
How Do I Use an Auxiliary Lane?
Auxiliary lanes provide more space and time to merge safely. The new auxiliary lanes will span several interchanges in both directions of OR 217. You can merge at any point while traveling in the auxiliary lane.