Borland/Stafford Roundabout Construction Begins
Ron Ares May 6th, 2008
I’ll be the roundabout
The words will make you out ‘n’ out
We spend the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and
In and out the valley
I have no idea what the words to Yes’ 1971 epic Roundabout actually mean, but if they cryptically imply that the roundabout project at the intersection of Borland and Stafford roads will improve, then I’m all for ‘em.
The county has begun the traffic revision at what has become over the years a heavily used intersection, funneling traffic on and off I-205 from West Linn, Stafford, and Lake Oswego. Traffic from daily rush hour commutes, two schools, cheap taco nights and Harley gatherings, plus five major churches make for serious congestion, and the county is pouring $4 million into resolving what will only get worse without attention.
The county describes roundabouts:
…circular intersections with specific design and traffic control features that eliminate the need for traffic signals. These features include yield control of all entering traffic, channelized approaches with raised splitter islands, and geometric curvature to ensure slow travel speeds for vehicles entering into and traveling within the roundabout.
The county expects an improvement of 30-50% in traffic throughput–handling between 3,500 to 5,000 vehicles per hour, negating the need for expensive signals and multiple turn lanes. Traffic should flow through and around most of the work, but through the summer, be prepared for occasional delays.
More information can be found here.
Actually, the fair city now known as West Linn was not named for the prized daughter of some politician or the niece of a high-powered developer.
Something we hear often is that the school system is a major attraction for home buyers in West Linn–and for good reason. West Linn elementary, middle and high schools are among the highest rated in the state.
Everyone knows that new home construction starts are waaaaaay down across the nation.
Many residents choose the West Linn area to live because of the school districts, neighborhood dynamics, housing choices, and attractive natural surroundings. 
In at least a couple areas of the Willamette neighborhood, you’d think they had been left in the wake of a Katrina-like storm or perhaps were targets of shock-and-awe bombing runs.
Love the thought of living in a neighborhood where you can walk to have a cup of coffee, go to the post office, the library, or even the grocery store? A neighborhood where you have a place to actually meet and get to know your neighbors? The 
In addition to the market, there are several new stores joining previous residents Starbucks, Fit for Life Exercise Center, Advanced Dental Arts, and Hair Unlimited. Businesses such as Cold Stone Creamery, Bone-Jour (Gourmet Doggie Bakery/Boutique), Sofa Table Chair, Wishing Well Floral and Gifts, Booster, Edible Arrangements, Tan Rio, Sierk Orthodontics, Taco Del Mar and Quiznos Subs have already jumped on board, and it seems there are more to come. Several of the empty spaces already have signs saying LEASED in the windows. It will be exciting to see who moves in next.
