August was a quiet month for transportation development.
Metro has launched a survey on the Powell-Division Transit and Development Project. It takes three minutes to complete and can be accessed through Sept. 9 at trimet.org/survey. A new PDTDP information page has been posted on the Metro site. It can be seen at oregonmetro.gov/divisionFAQ. “Powell and 82nd do not appear to be candidates for high-capacity transit in the near term because of current/future traffic levels and potential private property impacts,” the page notes. A 51-page proposed draft of the PDTDP Portland Local Action Plan, dated July 2016, has been posted on the Metro website as well. A link to the proposal can be found on the PDTDP information page. The purpose of the action plan is to address issues of housing affordability and community stabilization, which includes transit investments. It divides the project area into three districts: Inner Powell, Jade District and Division Midway and includes artists’ renditions of key intersections under different investment plans.
Oregon Department of Transportation began the Intersection Safety Project at East Burnside, Southeast Stark Street, Southeast Washington Street, Southeast Yamhill Street, Southeast Mill Street and Southeast Division Street. From August to October, ODOT will upgrade the traffic signals and curb ramps at the six intersections, as well as add three new pedestrian crossings. Lane closures, pedestrian detours and noise can be expected during the day and nighttime. Crews are currently installing the new sidewalk curb ramps with a special “quick-cure” concrete that limits pedestrian detours.
ODOT completed the Southeast Duke Street Project, replacing and upgrading traffic signals at the intersection of Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Duke Street and enhancing street signs. In addition, a bus pull-out on the southwest corner of Southeast Duke Street and 82nd Avenue and the sidewalk south of Southeast Duke Street on the west side of Southeast 82nd Avenue between Duke Street and Southeast Claybourne Street was improved. ADA ramps at all four corners of the intersection of 82nd Avenue and Southeast Duke Street were improved. The cost of the project had been estimated at $998,000.
The Northeast Sandy Boulevard Safety Project is continuing and expected to end in September. ODOT is upgrading traffic signals, curb ramps and signage. Crews are currently installing electrical wiring to connect a warning sign at the top of the hill near Northeast Beech Street (south of Sandy Boulevard) that will alert drivers of the stop light. Nighttime trench digging at the intersection to install electrical wiring is planned, resulting in lane closures, pedestrian detours and noise during the day and nighttime.
The 82nd Avenue Improvement Coalition did not meet in August, “in honor of the warm weather.”