Between high school construction, housing developments, and highway changes, the Banks area in 2026 is sure to be filled with road work.
Here is a preview of the projects scheduled in the area by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington County Land Use and Transportation. This list does not include work on the two new developments going in, or ongoing work by Clean Water Services, or the city of Banks.
Oregon Department of Transportation
Highway 6 and Aerts Road Roundabout
Originally slated to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2026, ODOT now says that the project to build a roundabout at Aerts Road and Highway 6 will now begin this year and be completed in 2027.
"This roundabout is being designed to accommodate the types of vehicles that currently use this intersection, including school buses, farm equipment, trucks with trailers and oversized freight trucks," ODOT said.
The project is estimated to cost $6 million.
What to expect:
-Crews will build a temporary bypass road and work during the day.
-Lane and shoulder closures on Highway 6 will happen as needed.
-Access restrictions or closures to and from NW Aerts Road and NW Washington Avenue.
-Construction noise, delays and debris.
-Equipment and trucks moving in and out of the area, bringing in materials and moving dirt.
ODOT's ADA ramp project in Banks area
From Spreadborough Road south of Banks to Market Street, the Oregon Department of Transportation will begin construction on a series of curb ramps in 2026 to make it easier for those with disabilities and wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, hand carts and bicycles to get around.
The project in the Banks area is an ongoing effort to bring state highways up to current American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, ODOT said.
According to ODOT, about 29 spots have been identified between Spreadborough Road south of Banks into almost the northern edge of Banks' city limits at Market Street that will either see existing ramps redone or newly installed, or just a simple addition of signage and other minor work.
Construction is expected to be done in 2027.
The design and construction costs are expected to be $1,195,000.
What to expect: Minor traffic impacts, temporary sidewalk closures.
Banks Highway Lighting Replacement
Light poles in two locations, at the Highway 26 and Highway 6 interchange between Banks and North Plains and at Highway 6 and Highway 47 in Banks are scheduled to be replaced this year.
"We plan to start construction in summer 2026," ODOT said. They anticiapte work to be completed no later than in 2027.
In total, five lights on Highway 47, 11 lights on Highway 6, and 16 lights on Highway 26 are planned for replacement.
ODOT described the existing lights as being in poor condition, and said the new light poles would feature LED lights.
ODOT said LED light bulbs last longer and are more energy efficient, are more environmentally friendly, don't produce heat and are more reliable than the prior bulbs, and are brighter with a more consistent and wide light pattern
The design and construction of the project is $1,738,310.
What to expect:
-Shoulder and lane closures.
-Construction noise and delays.
Washington County Land Use and Transportation
The county will replace a weight-limited timber bridge in Manning with a 75-foot, single span concrete bridge that is able to support heavier vehicles.
Construction is expected to begin in July and finish in December, and will require a road closure, the county said. Traffic will be detoured around Pihl Road.
The portions of Turk Road approaching the bridge will be paved.
"This project is part of an effort to replace several bridges in the County’s rural transportation network that are structurally deficient or aging," Washington County Land Use and Transportation said.
The new bridge is designed to withstand earthquakes.
What to expect: A road closure
Construction is expected to begin on the east-west segment of the Council Creek Regional Trail this summer, but the north-south segment that would connect the Banks-Vernonia State Trail to Forest Grove has not been planned. In fact, it's not even clear when or if that segment will be built, as it would require land acquisition, unlike the Hillsboro to Forest Grove portion of the trail, which is being built in railroad right-of-way.
What to expect: Nothing in Banks.
