Pedestrians get a safety advantage at signals on SE Powell Blvd.

Dec. 9, 2022

For more information, contact Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452

PORTLAND -- Working as promised toward a safer Southeast Powell Boulevard, ODOT and the Portland Bureau of Transportation recently reached an important new milestone to implement safety improvements along Southeast Powell Boulevard near Cleveland High School.

The agencies have completed installation of new hardware allowing for leading pedestrian intervals at 21^st, 26^th, 33^rd, and between 42^nd and 43^rd avenues, on Powell Boulevard. Leading pedestrian internals give pedestrians a walk signal before vehicles on the street get a green light, a safer first step for pedestrians crossing Powell Boulevard.

The improvement is part of a series of safety upgrades that ODOT, PBOT and TriMet announced Oct. 20 during a community forum at Cleveland High School. The agencies are engaged in a series of immediate, near-term and longer-term upgrades to improve safety in the corridor.

These safety improvements will include:

• Speed feedback signs, which flash motorists their speed, reminding drivers to slow down, with one sign eastbound and one westbound, both around the high school. These are expected in early 2023.
• Photo radar for speed zone enforcement. This effort is in progress and may take a year or more to complete because of equipment availability.
• Travel lane study. The state and city will study travel lanes on Powell Boulevard with an eye toward improving safety. Work is now under way and is expected to be complete in 2023.
• Multi-modal safety outreach. This may involve the state, the city and Portland Public Schools to provide traffic safety education at Cleveland High School.

The agencies have completed several other safety improvements, including upgraded painting and striping to improve crosswalk visibility; new School Speed Zone signs reducing the speed limit to 20 mph around the high school between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on school days; and installation of new “Turning vehicles stop for pedestrians and bicycles” signs on Southeast 26^th Avenue northbound and southbound.

Go to this website for more information about the safety work under way along Powell Boulevard.

Pedestrians get a walk signal before the traffic light turns green at SE 26th Ave. and other intersections along Powell

Looking for a great job with a competitive salary and good benefits?
Want to help your community every day? Apply now at ODOTJobs.com.
Nothing quite fit? Check back often!