Speed limit on 82nd Avenue lowered to 30 mph after new speed signs installed
Workers install new 30 mph signs on 82nd Avenue
May 19, 2021
For more information contact Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452
PORTLAND – A new lower speed limit went into effect on 82nd Avenue Wednesday in the first of a series of improvements upgrading pedestrian safety in the corridor.
ODOT completed installation of the new speed limit signs Wednesday lowering the speed limit from 35 to 30 mph on 82nd Avenue between Northeast Killingsworth and Southeast Clatsop streets..
“Lowing speed will have an immediate impact, giving drivers more time to see and react, hopefully avoiding collisions all together.” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT manager for the Portland area. “In addition, when crashes involving pedestrians do occur, lowering the speed from 35 to 30 increases the survival rate of pedestrians by up to 50%. That’s a big deal!”
The signs are the first in a series of ODOT efforts to upgrade pedestrian safety along the corridor, officially designated by ODOT as OR 213.
On May 13, the Oregon Transportation Commission approved a $10 million investment in immediate pedestrian improvements to roadways around the state, including $3.35 million for 82nd Avenue. The remainder will go to state highways throughout the rest of Oregon in locations identified, with the help of local partners, as needing pedestrian safety improvements.
In addition to the speed reduction, the 82nd Avenue improvements include:
- Installing new rectangular rapid flash beacons – pedestrian activated crossing signals – at Northeast Pacific and Southeast Mitchell streets;
- Adding digital speed feedback signs that increase driver awareness at 10 strategic locations through the corridor;
- Improving three pedestrian crossings without signals by adding enhanced lighting, new signs and additional striping;
- Installing new enhanced pedestrian crossings at Northeast Webster and Alberta streets and Southeast Mitchell Street. These new crossings will include new lighting, signs and striping.
In addition to these short term improvements, we have four projects in the 82nd Avenue corridor we will design and deliver within the next five years. These include increased use of rectangular rapid flashing beacons, enhanced signals along the Springwater Trail crossing and signal and crossing improvements at Northeast Glisan and Davis streets.
We are also working with our partners at TriMet and PBOT to improve access to transit stops and identify additional opportunities to improve safety throughout the corridor.
Discussions are now under way to transfer jurisdiction of 82nd Avenue from ODOT to the City of Portland, but no timeline has been set.
The work is part of our effort to maintain a safe, efficient and modern transportation system, a priority outlined in our Strategic Action Plan.
We expect completion of the $10 million improvements by the end of the year.
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