With Lake Oswego voters having approved a charter amendment to allow Clackamas County to encroach upon a portion of the Stevens Meadows park property in November, the county is beginning to lay the groundwork for its road improvement project along Stafford Road.

The county plans to complete an array of road improvements along Stafford Road and Childs Road, including widening a portion of Stafford Road to add 6-foot paved bike lanes, realigning the Johnson Road intersection to reduce the turning angle, installing a single-lane roundabout at Childs Road (along with bike lanes and paths in the approach to the roundabout) and replacing the Pecan Creek culvert, among other improvements.

The project hit a snag last year because the county’s plan to encroach upon Stevens Meadows conflicted with the city of Lake Oswego’s charter that prevents development on city-owned parks, requiring the city to introduce the ballot measure. Lake Oswego voters overwhelmingly approved it. The county also needs to encroach upon property owned by the Metro regional government.

A Clackamas County spokesperson said the construction bid for the project was published Jan. 2 and that the bidding process will open Feb. 5. Further, the county has begun completing utility relocations.

The project is expected to cost $18 million and funding derives from Community Road Funds and Transportation System Development Charges. The county’s website lists construction starting this spring and continuing through winter 2026, although the Clackamas County spokesperson said the timeline won’t be set in stone until a contractor is selected in March or April.