Tualatin Valley Highway Equity Coalition
Tualatin Valley Highway Corridor
Tualatin Valley Highway (Oregon Route 8), also known as TV Highway, is an important regional and county urban arterial that supports the movement of people and goods through the communities of Forest Grove, Cornelius, Hillsboro, Aloha, and Beaverton. It serves as an access route to Highway 217 from points west, connects to the regional light rail system in two locations, and supports one of the highest ridership bus lines in the region (line 57). The corridor also serves many communities of color, limited English proficiency speakers, and lower income communities.
The Transit Project
The TV Highway transit improvement project is a government-led process to improve transit travel for current and future line 57 riders by helping them reach destinations sooner, safer and more reliably. The purpose of the transit project is to identify a locally preferred alternative for bus rapid transit (BRT) on the TV Highway corridor. The process is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Metro and TriMet co-lead the process of developing the project. They convene three committees namely, the Steering Committee, Technical Working Group, and the Policy Group. Other project partners on these committees are Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Washington County, City of Beaverton, City of Hillsboro, City of Cornelius, and City of Forest Grove. Four TEC partners serve on the Steering Committee: Adelante Mujeres, APANO, Centro Cultural.
Learn about the TV Highway transit project on the Metro website: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/tualatin-valley-highway-transit-project
TV Highway Equity Coalition (TEC)
In anticipation of a transit project planned by Metro Regional Government and other government agencies, the TV Highway Equity Coalition (TEC) was established early 2022 to inform the planning process through bringing together a mix of perspectives from residents, commuters, small business owners, and direct service organizations. The first task that TEC worked on was the development of the TV Highway Corridor Equitable Development Strategy (EDS).
The EDS envisions a livable, affordable, economically thriving community with reliable and safe transportation options for everyone through the outcomes of the anticipated transit project. It also sets a solid foundation to address the impact associated with this major infrastructure investment, primarily by preventing residential and business displacement and providing co-located services and resources for the historically-underserved communities.
Equitable Development Strategy (EDS) Process
Who informed the process?
Three groups: TEC Partners, Community Leadership Cohort, and Public Workshops.
TV Highway Equity Coalition (TEC) Partners:
As a group of experts deeply invested in the communities along the Corridor, the TV Highway Equity Coalition (TEC) Partners—Adelante Mujeres, APANO, Bienestar Oregon, Centro Cultural, Community Housing Fund, Muslim Educational Trust, The Street Trust, and Unite Oregon—met monthly between May 2022 and May 2023 to identify and discuss priority areas. They conducted SWOT analyses to address community needs and priorities.
Community Leadership Cohort:
This is a group of rising community advocates who are passionate about serving and representing their communities. They met monthly between August 2022 and March 2023 to learn about, and provide feedback for, the transit project, EDS process.
Community Workshops:
Three workshops were organized with the larger community in the TV Highway Corridor throughout the EDS development process. After receiving updates, participants were asked to contribute by offering additional insights to solidify the EDS actions.
Resources: EDS Report and Appendixes
The Project Team
Jess Zdeb, Investment Areas Project Manager, Metro
Adrienne Chaille, Sr. Coordinator for Economic Development Programs, Washington County Administrative Office
Mohanad Alnajjar, Washington County Chapter Director, Unite Oregon
Juan Moreno, Community Organizer, Unite Oregon
Piyawee Ruenjinda, Community Organizer, Unite Oregon