On Tuesday, the Portland Bureau of Transportation introduced they plan to maneuver ahead with a serious challenge that may enhance security situations on Northeast Cully Blvd/NE 57th Ave. The $8.4 million Cully/57th Full Avenue Challenge will enhance sidewalks, construct about 0.6 miles of latest protected bike lanes, add new crossings, and totally rebuild a site visitors sign. The scope of the challenge is from NE Prescott to NE Klickitat.
This challenge was awarded a $7.6 million federal grant disbursed through Metro again in 2022. Simply final March BikePortland reported that that funding was liable to being pulled again by the Trump Administration. I’ve requested PBOT to make clear the standing of that portion of the funding and can replace this put up once I hear again.
The excellent news is that PBOT is assured sufficient within the funding (the challenge additionally makes use of a $874,000 grant from the Portland Clear Power Fund) to maneuver ahead with the general public outreach and design course of.
This stretch of Cully/57th is infamous for being a harmful place to stroll and bike. PBOT says it has slender or lacking sidewalks, crossing gaps, and an absence of bodily safety for bicycle riders. Between 2010 and 2019 there have been 20 reported crashes inside the challenge space. 14 of these concerned folks strolling or biking, together with one fatality. In that timeframe six drivers have been critically injured in crashes.
As an illustration of the issues on this road, you would possibly recall my reporting in late 2023 about how drivers had uprooted over a dozen flex delineator posts from the curve. PBOT in the end repaired that harm and now they need to come again and end the job as soon as and for all.
Right here’s what PBOT says we will anticipate this challenge to ship:
Enhance the pedestrian facility on the west facet of NE 57th Ave between NE Fremont Shaver streets
Widen the sidewalk on the east facet between NE Fremont and Failing streets.
Enhanced crossings close to NE Failing and Skidmore streets.
Improved bike lanes between NE Klickitat and Prescott streets to offer higher separation from vehicles.
Transit cease enhancements at NE Mason Avenue to enhance entry and transit reliability.
Accessibility upgrades between NE Fremont and Prescott streets.
Full site visitors sign reconstruction at NE Fremont Avenue to interchange outdated tools and enhance security.
PBOT will attend the November 18th assembly of the Cully Affiliation of Neighbors to introduce the challenge and we will anticipate extra public outreach as soon as they full a preliminary design idea. This challenge is estimated to be accomplished by 2028. Try the challenge web site for extra info.
