Transportation improvements on Powell Boulevard between 122nd Avenue and 136th Avenue are now nearly complete.
ODOT currently owns and operates Powell Boulevard. Once the project is complete, ODOT will transfer ownership and operation of Powell Boulevard from 99th Avenue to the City limits just east of 174th Avenue to the City of Portland.
At this time we are designing safety improvements for the remainder of the corridor to be consistent with the recently completed section between 122nd Avenue and 136th Avenue. Design is anticipated to be complete in 2022, with construction to follow in 2023.
Phase 1 - Construction completion: fall 2020
Phase 2 - Design of remaining sections: 2020 to 2022
Phase 2 - Construction on remaining sections: 2023 to 2026
Sidewalks where there are none now
Crosswalks so people can cross the road more safely
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons to alert drivers that people are crossing the street
Lighting for improved visibility
Mix of protected and sidewalk level bike lanes
Center turn lanes for cars, buses and trucks for safer turns and to reduce back-ups
Storm drains to prevent water from pooling on the road
Early funding allowed ODOT to construct the portion of Powell Boulevard from 122nd Avenue to 136th Avenue, which was the highest priority section due to the number and severity of crashes. Through Keep Oregon Moving (House Bill 2017), the Oregon Legislature allocated funds to complete design, right of way and construction on the remaining sections of the Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project. With this funding, ODOT is now designing improvements to these other sections of Outer Powell in Phase 2. The design will be consistent with the section recently constructed in Phase 1.
Community collaboration and support is a key component of this project. ODOT conducted community engagement activities during the initial planning and environmental phases and during the design process for Phase 1 (122nd Avenue to 136th Avenue) to help identify design solutions that balanced community needs and interests while minimizing project impacts. These community engagement activities included canvassing in the area, presenting at open houses/neighborhood meetings, and participating in community events (such as community walks and bike rides) to meet those impacted by the project and collect their feedback.
Phase 2 design will be consistent with the newly constructed improvements. ODOT will continue to work with the community as construction of the Phase 2 improvements gets closer.
Construction began on safety improvements on Powell Boulevard between 122nd Avenue and 136th Avenue in spring 2019 and is nearly complete. In the coming months, you will see the finishing touches, including things like Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at crosswalks, new lighting and signals at a few remaining locations, and landscaping. Visit www.OuterPowellSafety.org to sign up to receive project alerts.
Illustration of typical cross-section.
The image above illustrates what the majority of outer SE Powell Boulevard will look like when complete. Certain elements or measurements will vary throughout the project area depending on the needs and constraints of each section. Review the three cross-sections below to see what sidewalks, bike lanes, and center turn lanes will look like in the segments currently in design.
Sidewalks – We will construct new sidewalks where none currently exist to provide consistent and safe options for pedestrians.
Center turn lane – A new center turn lane will reduce conflicts and improve safety and traffic flow.
Bike lanes – The type of bike lane varies depending on location. They include a combination of sidewalk level bike lanes and protected bike lanes for the majority of the project area. Where necessary, breaks in the bike treatment will occur to allow access for businesses and property owners.
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Protected Bike Lane
Sidewalk Level Bike Lane
The following images illustrate what the road could look like in different sections of the corridor. The cross-section may change based on varying conditions of the roadway.
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Cross-section 1: 99th Avenue to 122nd Avenue
Cross-section 2: 136th Avenue to 160th Avenue
Cross-section 3: 160th Avenue to 174th Avenue
ODOT is installing new intersections and enhanced crosswalks throughout the corridor to improve safety. Click on the images below to see what the new intersections and enhanced crosswalks could look like.
The project team is actively working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and TriMet to locate crosswalks and bus stops to align with pedestrian and bicycle networks.
Map instructions: Click and drag on the map to explore new enhanced crosswalk and intersection locations. Turn layers on and off and browse the list of improvements.
For mobile devices: The map preview is not available on mobile devices. Instead, click on the map window to view the map in another tab.
Enhanced Crosswalks – Safety features vary by location and may include: median refuges, rapid flashing beacons and high visibility markings and signage.
Median refuges are concrete islands in the center of the roadway designed to give people crossing a safe place to stop while waiting for drivers to stop for them.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, or RRFBs, are push button activated flashing LED beacons that alert drivers that someone is trying to cross the road.
High visibility markings are crosswalk stripes designed to be highly visible to drivers day and night. "Zebra stripe" style crosswalk stripes are one of the most common high visibility marking types.
Signalized Intersections – Intersections will include features to reduce potential conflicts and improve safety and traffic flow for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Note: the intersection rendering above shows an intersection where four streets meet. The intersections at SE 104th Ave and at the shopping center near SE 171st Ave have different traffic patterns and will look different than the rendering.
Bus Stops – The team is working closely with TriMet to refine bus stop locations in order to improve connections with existing pedestrian and bicycle networks and to improve transit performance. Locations may continue to shift slightly during the design phase. Bus stop features and amenities will be coordinated through TriMet.
Phase 1 Construction Complete
Phase 2 Design Underway
Do you live, work or own property on SE Powell Boulevard between 99th Avenue and 122nd Avenue, or between 136th Avenue and just east of 174th Avenue? If so, we will keep you informed about what to expect during construction as we know more. If you own property along Powell Boulevard in these areas, a right of way agent will contact you if any changes to your property are needed. We encourage you to sign up for project emails by visiting our website, www.OuterPowellSafety.org.
Once ODOT has determined where property is needed for the project, we will conduct an appraisal of each property to determine fair and just compensation. We will then make an offer to each property owner, and a right of way agent will provide assistance through the acquisition and closing process.
Timeline
Summer 2020 to fall 2020 - Appraisal process
Fall 2020 - Offers begin
Late summer 2022 – Right of way process complete
For more information, contact:
Hannah Halpenny, Right of Way Agent
(360) 975-6855
Hannah.Halpenny@hdrinc.com
For more information:
Visit OuterPowellSafety.org to learn about the project and sign up for email updates.
Contact Hope Estes, ODOT Community Affairs
(503) 731-4812
Hope.Estes@odot.state.or.us