Flood gates installed on Susbauer and Fern Hill roads

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 17, 2017

Permanent, manual-locking flood gates have been installed on Susbauer and Fern Hill roads ahead of winter weather to allow for more efficient closure of the roads during high water.

The Susbauer Road gates are south of Hornecker Road and north of Long Road. The Fern Hill Road gates are south of Taylor Way and north of Geiger Road.

Both roads frequently flood during periods of heavy rainfall. Unlike portable barricades, the gates lock in place, preventing motorists from driving into floodwaters. Last February there were two confirmed cases of motorists who moved/drove around barricades and had to be rescued. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue charged each driver $516 for the rescues. Both drivers were also fined $260 for moving/driving around barricades, which is against the law.

Washington County is committed to planning, building and maintaining a great transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users and operating the County roadway system in cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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