David House, ODOT Public Information Officer, will provide an overview of the Ehlen Road Interchange project and explain the innovative diverging diamond interchange design coming to Exit 278 on Interstate 5. This critical improvement aims to address growing traffic and safety concerns in the Aurora-Donald area and north Marion County communities.

Originally built in the 1960s, the Ehlen Road Interchange is no longer sufficient to handle the increasing volume of business, trucking, and interstate travel in the region. The first phase of improvements addressed immediate concerns by extending and widening the northbound off-ramp, installing a sound wall for the nearby RV Park, and relocating the Ehlen and Bents roads intersection farther from the interstate while adding a traffic signal.

David will also highlight the next phase of the project: the construction of Oregon’s second diverging diamond interchange (DDI). Proven successful in Medford, this design improves traffic flow and safety while accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians, all within a compact footprint that respects surrounding businesses and residences.

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.

Official bio:

David House has been the Public Information Officer for the northern part of ODOT’s Region 2 – covering Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Yamhill, Marion, and northeast Polk counties – since 2022. He has over 27 years of experience as an ODOT PIO, following a career as a journalist. David has contributed to various divisions of ODOT, consistently working to provide clear and accessible information to the public.