Results of an Oregon Department of Transportation survey inform ODOT decision makers’ plans for improvements along east Portland’s border with the rest of the city. STAFF/2015

Results of an Oregon Department of Transportation survey inform ODOT decision makers’ plans for improvements along east Portland’s border with the rest of the city.
STAFF/2015

The Oregon Department of Transportation has released the results of a survey it took in May on how Portland’s 82nd Avenue is used and what improvements are needed there. The findings of the survey will be considered in the formation of the department’s Implementation Plan for the avenue.

The survey was available online May 10–31. In addition, ODOT distributed surveys in other languages through community organizations. Of a total of 524 responses, there were 446 in English, 30 in Spanish, 18 in Russian, 17 in Chinese and 13 in Vietnamese.

The majority of respondents—just over half—used the avenue daily. “Restaurants/food/grocery” was the most common motivation for visiting, followed by “shopping” and “home.” The area between Johnson Creek Boulevard and Foster Road was the most frequent destination, although Chinese and Vietnamese respondents also traveled to the area immediately to the north of there, where the Asian business district is concentrated. Commuting to work was another reason people used the avenue, especially Chinese and Vietnamese speakers. English- and Spanish-speakers mentioned the Asian-oriented Fubonn Shopping Center as a common destination, too. Spanish-speakers favored the opposite end of the avenue, between Northeast Killingsworth and Halsey streets.

Chinese and Vietnamese respondents had the most favorable general perception of the street. Other respondents mentioned the lack of sidewalks and trees, crime and chaotic traffic.

Over 400 of the respondents traveled on the avenue by car on the day they were surveyed. Slightly more than 100 respondents also traveled by bus or on foot. Many respondents were in favor of encouraging alternative means of transportation in the next 5–10 years, with bike and walk/mobility device being the most popular means besides car.

When asked what was important for ODOT to focus on, the top answers were “number and severity of bicycle or pedestrian crashes,” “number and severity of auto crashes,” “gaps in the sidewalk network” and “presence of community destinations.”

More men (60 percent) than women responded, and 65 percent of respondents were college graduates. More than 300 respondents were in the 25–44 age range, and just over 100 were aged between 45 and 64.

Fourteen state and city road projects have been completed along 82nd Avenue in the past 10 years. Eleven more are planned for the next five years. Two projects now underway impact 82nd Avenue: The Northeast Sandy Boulevard Safety Project, which entails upgrading traffic signals, curb ramps and signage between June and September of this year, and the Intersection Safety Project at East Burnside and Southeast Stark, Washington, Yamhill, Mill and Division streets. Traffic signals and curb ramps are being upgraded at these intersections and new pedestrian crossings are being installed at three of them, with construction stretching from February through the fall. Both projects will cause lane closures, pedestrian detours and noise during day and nighttime construction.