Regardless of an unsure price range and a brand new type of authorities that has had rising pains, the Portland Bureau of Transportation continues to be managing to pump out thrilling tasks that can dramatically enhance how we get round.
Christmas got here early for bus and bike riders with the brand new lanes on Southwest 4th Avenue, which — if climate holds — could possibly be accomplished all the way in which to Burnside earlier than the tip of the yr. However that’s simply the tip of the handlebar. At Tuesday night time’s Bicycle Advisory Committee assembly, PBOT Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller shared an replace on a number of different tasks that include important bicycle infrastructure parts.
Under are a number of challenge updates from our biking Santas at PBOT:
NW/SW Broadway Streetscape Undertaking
“We went from probably eradicating these bike lanes plenty of years in the past, and now we’re going to make them extra everlasting.” That’s how Geller described PBOT’s new challenge to additional harden and enhance the present bike lanes on Northwest and Southwest Broadway. This very important biking hall between the Broadway Bridge and Portland State College was threatened with a serious downgrade in 2023, however we saved it and now it’s slated to get even higher.
The plan is to additional harden the present design by changing lots of the ugly, flimsy, plastic delineator wands with concrete curbs, medians, and planters. Geller stated they’ve received about $550,000 to do the work. Building is anticipated to start subsequent summer season. Test the challenge web site for more information.
N Willamette Lively Transportation Hall Undertaking
Nice information on this one: PBOT has confirmed development has begun (truly demolition, however you realize what I imply)! “That is going to be a unbelievable challenge,” Geller stated Tuesday night time. This $6 million, federally-funded challenge will remodel North Willamette Blvd from the busy, car-centric hellscape it has develop into, right into a biking and bus using paradise. Protected bike lanes might be constructed from N Rosa Parks Manner all the way in which as much as N Richmond in St. Johns. As a result of PBOT is utilizing federal funds, they need to get all the cash out the door and have development full by September 2026. Let’s f’ing goo!!
The one unhealthy information right here is that the work zones across the demo and development may make touring on Willamette difficult within the months to return. “It’ll be ugly for a short while,” Geller warned. See the official challenge web page for more information updates.
Southwest Terwilliger Connections
PBOT is tagging onto a sewer challenge to do some avenue updates that embrace a safer and higher bike path and sidewalk on SW Terwilliger between Sam Jackson Park Rd and SW Sheridan. Geller stated design is underway for this challenge and it’s anticipated to be inbuilt spring 2027.
There’s additionally curiosity to increase the bike and pedestrian connection about 0.2 miles west on Sam Jackson as much as the Marquam Nature Park trailhead, however funding for that portion of the challenge stays unsure.
After I final reported on this challenge again in Could, the brand new sidewalk and bike path was solely slated to be constructed alongside Duniway Park. However PBOT has secured a further $470,000 in Fixing Our Streets funding to increase a protected bike lane on Terwilliger (towards downtown) all the way in which to Sheridan. Within the outbound course, Geller stated they’ll construct a wider, buffered bike lane at first and can plan to return again later and add concrete for extra safety.
Geller added that PBOT can even make investments $350,000 on a challenge to attach Terwilliger to the brand new protected bike lane on SW 4th. After I shared a video on the SW 4th challenge, many people complained that connecting to the place it begins at SW Caruthers was not straightforward or protected. For extra on this challenge, take a look at my story from 2024 and keep tuned.
SW sixth Avenue
Again in January I reported {that a} repaving challenge for SW sixth over I-405 to SW Jackson would include new striping that lastly improves this route for bicycling. Sadly PBOT crews restriped the newly paved highway with out these modifications. PBOT has acknowledged the error and is engaged on a design that can lengthen the bike lane on SW sixth by this space. Geller stated we are able to count on this to be full, “early subsequent spring.”
Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Enhancements Undertaking
Geller stated this challenge is considerably full. PBOT has construct new protected bike lanes on SE Washington Avenue from 74th to 92nd (simply earlier than I-205 path). These bike lanes hook up with new bike lanes on SE Thorburn that go as much as E Burnside. For extra on the Jade/Montavilla challenge, see challenge web site. Geller stated the brand new bike lanes on Washington will finally be prolonged all the way in which east to the Portland metropolis limits as a part of the forthcoming SE Stark & Washington Security Undertaking.
SW Bertha Blvd
Geller stated PBOT has completed design of a challenge that they hope will embrace protected bike lanes on SW Bertha between Barbur and Vermont. Proper now they’ve received $200,000 within the financial institution and it seems like they’re searching for extra to make the protected bike lanes a actuality. Building is anticipated to start spring 2026. Be taught extra on the challenge web page.
NE Halsey Security and Entry to Transit
PBOT is at the moment constructing this challenge which features a two-way protected bike lane on the south facet of NE Halsey between eightieth and 92nd. It’s anticipated to be in development by July 2026. It will join to a different challenge that can reconstruct the NE Halsey and 92nd intersection and construct two-way buffered bike lanes between NE Jonesmore and 92nd. Simply south of I-84, PBOT can be constructing a mini-roundabout on Halsey the place the overpass meets NE 81st and eightieth. Be taught extra on the challenge web site.
NE 148th From Halsey to Powell
PBOT not too long ago earned a $7.1 million grant from Metro to construct new crossings, bike lanes and enhance transit entry on NE 148th between Halsey and Powell. Geller stated the bike lanes are anticipated to be a mixture of buffered and guarded designs. Ultimate design is to be decided, so verify the challenge web site and keep tuned for alternatives to weigh in.
It’s so thrilling to see all these tasks in movement. Later in Tuesday’s assembly, Bicycle Advisory Committee Chair Jim Middaugh stated PBOT’s work on these tasks is one more signal of Portland’s comeback:
“I feel all of us know bikes actually are going to be a part of the answer — from local weather perspective, financial restoration perspective, from an fairness perspective. Bikes had been what one of many main issues that made Portland cool and actually aggressive at one level, and I feel they’re going to be a key a part of doing that once more.”
Me too!
Keep tuned for updates and extra protection of all these tasks.
