Highway 217 or Oregon Route 217 is a freeway linking US 26 and I-5 between Tigard and Beaverton, Oregon. It is also know as the Beaverton Tigard Highway. This 8.5 mile stretch of freeway is one of the busiest in the state. The highway has a reputation for traffic jams, design flaws, road construction and is considered a "nightmare" rush hour experience. Originally, 217 followed Hall Blvd, but has the city of Tigard began expanding, a new route was needed to carry increased traffic. In the early 1960's, the highway dept began planning the expressway. 10 years later, Hwy 217 was up and running. However, the rapid urbanization of the Tigard/Beaverton areas have challenged if not overwhelmed the 4-lane expressway. According to the US Dept. of Transportation/Federal Highway Commission, the traffic on 217 doubled from 1983 to 2003. The highway routinely operates at maximum capacity during rush hour.


Metro did a comprehensive study in 2004. Key findings and deficiencies of Hwy 217 were:

1. Short distances between interchanges create conflicts with traffic entering and exiting the highway

2. Bottlenecks located at US 26 and I-5 and other ramp junctions create slow speeds. These bottlenecks cause slow speeds and back-ups throughout the highway corridor.

3. High traffic volumes during peak commutes result in long recovery times from accidents and weather conditions and can impact the corridor for hours.

Photo above shows the newly constructed I-5/217 expressway interchange. Picture was taken Jan 28, 1968. This intersection would remain unchanged for over 30 years.

The drawing above shows the original Hwy 217 plan from 1960. The State Highway Dept. released this sketch and information to the public on 4/14/1960 in The Oregonian. It would connect Highway 26 (Sunset) and I-5 (Baldock) freeways. The proposed 8.56 mile 4-lane expressway was still under consideration and was waiting approval by the State Highway Commission. The proposed $6.6 million project would include land acquisitions for right of way and construction would begin in 1961. The entire project was to take an estimated 5 years for completion. Many of the interchanges were initially planned as intersections with traffic lights. Eventually, overpasses would be built. The State Highway Dept. unveiled it's plan in front of 200 people at Beaverton Union High School on April 12, 1960.

On 6/4/1960, the State Highway Commission approved the expressway. The project would be extended out and completed in phases. Also, the length of construction was increased to 8 years.

Initially, the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church and Harold Schnitzer of Claremont Investment Group protested the expressway.

Highway 217 Time Line

1960 State Highway Dept. releases initial highway plan to public on 4/14/1960
1960 State Highway Commission approves Hwy 217 plan on 6/4/1960
1960 Right of way purchases begin
1961 City of Tigard is incorporated
1968 Section of OR 217 between Progress and Beaverton completed
1971 Expressway opens to traffic Aug 5, 1971
2001 I-5/217 ramp flyover built