For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1. Si desea obtener información sobre este proyecto traducida al español, sírvase llamar al 503-731-4128.
To request an alternative format, please contact info@i5rosequarter.org or call 503-423-3760.
Since 2017, the project has been in an environmental study phase. Project design will begin in spring 2019, when the environmental work is complete. Construction is anticipated to start in 2023, lasting four to five years.
In the early 1950s, this neighborhood had a well developed street grid system and connected community serving a large segment of Portland’s Black residents. It was a thriving arts-oriented district with shops and houses, and the heart of Portland’s jazz scene.
In the early 1960’s, during an era of highway building nationwide, the building of I-5, combined with other developments and urban renewal, disconnected the community and resulted in displacement of its residents. The well-connected street grid was disrupted, leaving limited options for crossing I-5 and the historically black Albina neighborhood physically separated from other neighborhoods.
This group included twelve community members representing local businesses, community organizations and interests in the area. The group met four times between September 2017 and November 2018 and provided insight and feedback on how best to reach the local and broader community about this project.
The project creates new connections across I-5 and more space for people walking and biking, so everyone can travel more safely and conveniently through the Rose Quarter area. These improvements include:
Three Interstates (I-5, I-84, and I-405) intersect in the short distance between the Morrison Bridge and the Fremont Bridge, creating the biggest bottleneck in the state of Oregon. This outdated design with closely spaced interchanges and no shoulders has resulted in this section of I-5 having the highest crash rate in the state. With the following improvements, we can reduce frequent crashes, improving safety and reliability for travelers:
This project is an opportunity to reconnect the Lower Albina area and enhance continuity to north and northeast neighborhoods. By making travel easier, providing more options, and creating more space for people to move through, the project will support opportunities for redevelopment, both public and private. This project is currently looking at ways to tie in contracting opportunities for local small and minority owned businesses that will be part of the design and construction work:
Conceptual drafts, subject to change based on technical analysis and public input.
The project is following the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
This process ensures that decisions balance transportation needs with social, economic and environmental factors. Environmental studies compare the effects of building a project with the effects of not building a project – the "Build" and "No Build" alternatives. The Build alternative is based on a preliminary design concept, not a detailed design.
During construction the Project will:
The topics listed above received the most public interest to date. Other topic areas that can be found in the Environmental Assessment include:
You can read more about these topics in the project library at i5rosequarter.org.
Visit www.i5RoseQuarter.org to download the Environmental Assessment. Information is available in alternative formats upon request. There are many ways to provide your input:
February 15 - April 1, 2019 (5 p.m.) at
www.i5RoseQuarter.org
March 7, 2019
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Leftbank Annex, Clubroom
101 N Weidler St, Portland
ODOT attention Megan Channell
123 NW Flanders St.
Portland, OR 97209
Leave a recorded verbal comment at
(503) 423-3760
March 12, 2019
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sign up to speak*.
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Event begins with a brief project presentation followed by public comment. Elected officials will comment first, followed by comments from the general public.
Oregon Convention Center, Room A108
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland
*Speakers will have up to two minutes to speak and must: sign up in person; only sign up for themselves; sign up during official registration, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. on March 12.
(Check with front desk staff to read a reference copy of the EA.)
ODOT Region 1
123 NW Flanders St
Portland, Oregon 97209
FWHA Oregon Division
530 Center Street NE, Suite 420
Salem, OR 97301
Matt Dishman Community Center
77 NE Knott St
Portland, OR 97212
Multnomah County Library Branches:
Albina: 3605 NE 15th Ave
Central: 801 SW 10th Ave
North Portland: 512 N Killingsworth St
A NEPA Decision Document will be prepared upon completion of the Environmental Assessment and the FHWA’s consideration of public comments. The NEPA Decision Document and the record of public comments, with comment responses, will be made available to the public on the project website (expected spring 2019). The design phase will begin in spring 2019 and there will continue to be many ways to share your input and ideas as the project evolves.