Minor Betterments

Definition

The Minor Betterment Program (MBP) is funded by an allocation from the Road Maintenance Fund (gas taxes). About $500,000 is expected to be allocated to this program in fiscal year 2012-2013 to fund small-scale interim improvements which are beyond routine maintenance but not large enough to be programmed as capital improvements. A MBP project is a site-specific enhancement to the county's transportation system. An MBP project is typically interim and is intended to supplement routine maintenance and capital improvements.

Eligibility

Eligible projects will:

Be constructed on a county road; and
Improve or resolve a specific situation; and
Address safety, capacity, environmental and/or connectivity issues.

Deadline

Proposals received by July 15 will be considered for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1 of the following calendar year.

Review Process

In addition to looking for improvements to safety, capacity, environmental and/or connectivity issues, project proposals are reviewed and prioritized considering, but not limited to, the following:

Functional classification and traffic volumes
Accident history and Safety Priority Index System rating
Consistency with current plans and studies including, but not limited to, the Transportation Plan
Filling a gap to improve connectivity
Environmental obstacles
Community support (Citizen Participation Organization letter, neighborhood petition, etc.)
Cost and leverage of other funding sources or combining with other projects
Other relevant factors not listed here

Selection

Candidates will be considered by a Review and Selection Committee comprised of county staff and citizens. The Review and Selection Committee's project recommendations will be subject to the county's budget review and approval process. This process includes County Administrator's Office review, Budget Committee review, a Public Hearing, and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.

Recommended projects funded by the approved budget will be included in the Road Maintenance Annual Work Program which is presented to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration and approval.

Please note that submittal of a proposal does not guarantee its selection, funding, or construction.

Completed and Upcoming Projects

For fiscal year 2010-2011, the project compled with Minor Betterment funding was a pedestrian pathway on NW 143rd Avenue between 0.1 miles south of Hunters Drive and West Union Road.

Minor Betterment projects funded for fiscal year 2011-2012 include pedestrian paths on Barnes from 70th Terrace to Miller Road, Cornell at 123rd (see also Cornell from 119th to Saltzman), and Kinnaman Road from Farmington to 185th; an ADA ramp at 158th and Walker Road; shoulder widening at Miller Hill Road and Farmington; sight distance improvements at Blooming-Fern Hill and Winters; and center refuge lane improvement on Murray Boulevard near Tierra Del Mar Drive.

Propose a Project

To propose an MBP project, submit the online form or complete this proposal form and send to:

Washington County Department of
Land Use and Transportation
Operations & Maintenance Division
Attn: Minor Betterments Program Coordinator
1400 SW Walnut Street, MS 51
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: 503-846-7623
FAX: 503-846-7620
E-mail: lutops@co.washington.or.us

Related: MBP Selection Committee
              Media Release: Proposals Due July 15
              Media Release: MBC Invites Public Comment on Draft Evaluation Criteria
              Media Release: Top 20 Candidates Posted / Committee recommends five projects