Redmond seeks traffic signal at busy intersection after crashes, growing congestion

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Traffic at the intersection of Southwest 35th Street and Highland Avenue in Redmond has increased following the opening of the new 'Hub' Recreation and Aquatic Center. The city of Redmond wants to put a light at the intersection.

The intersection connects with Highway 126 on the outside of a Redmond as a two-way stop. Over the past six years, the growing city has expanded toward the area, increasing vehicle traffic. As accidents have been occuring at the interstection, city officials have been prioritizing making it safer.

However, part of the intersection falls under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Certain metrics must be met before traffic signal funding can be approved.

Lindsey Cromsight, the assistant city engineer for the City of Redmond is familiar with the intersection: “The intersection of Highland and 35th has been identified on the city's transportation system plan for a signal for quite some time. At least since 2020,” Cromsight said. “And we've been working collaboratively, very closely with ODOT to to work toward that goal.”

Kacey Davey is the lead public information officer for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Davey explained how the state agency evaluates locations for safety investments. “ODOT uses crash data to identify locations with a history of fatal and serious injury crashes and directs safety funding to those areas,” Davey said. “And so an area, an intersection has to meet a certain threshold to be able to get these, safety dollars.”

According to ODOT data, 10 accidents occurred at the intersection between 2018 and 2024. Of those 10 collisions, one resulted in serious injuries. As an interim measure while working toward a long-term solution, the City of Redmond plans to add road markings and restrict turning in certain directions.