 News media contact:
Dylan Rivera
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dylan.rivera@portlandoregon.gov
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Fixing Our Streets Program builds sidewalks on key routes
 The voter-approved Fixing Our Streets Program has built sidewalks on busy streets, improving access to bus stops like this one on SE Flavel Street in the Lents neighborhood. Photo by Portland Bureau of Transportation.
(May 21, 2019) In three short years, the Fixing Our Streets Program has added sidewalks on key routes, making it safer and more convenient for people to walk and access public transit.
By the end of 2019, Portlanders will enjoy 48 new blocks of sidewalks, thanks to the Fixing Our Streets Program.
The final two Fixing Our Streets sidewalk projects go to construction this year, starting with NE 148th Avenue between Halsey and Glisan this summer and SW Capitol Highway from Multnomah Village to West Portland in the fall.
Fixing Our Streets projects have generated jobs for local minority contractors, including Emerio Design for engineering, and Raimore Construction.
VIDEO: See how crews install ADA corner ramps that make our new sidewalk projects more accessible for everone
Projects completed in 2018 closed critical gaps in sidewalks along SE Flavel Street, NE 102nd Avenue and SE 112th Avenue and add 16 new ADA-compliant curb ramps.
By closing the gaps between existing sidewalks, the projects created a full 2.25 miles of streets in East Portland with complete sidewalks on both sides on the street. The result is safer access for neighborhood residents to schools, public transit and work.
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On NE 102nd, the new sidewalks provide a much-needed safety improvement. 102nd Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in Portland for pedestrians. PBOT’s Vision Zero Action plan ranks it in among the top 20 streets where pedestrians are killed or injured. The sidewalk provides a seamless walking route between Prescott Elementary and the Gateway Transit Center.
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On SE 112th, the new sidewalks improve walking connections along a large north-south corridor and connect destinations like Kelly Butte Natural Area, Floyd Light Middle School and Mall 205.
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On SE Flavel, new sidewalks make it safer to walk to the MAX Green Line, the I-205 Multiuse Path, the Springwater Corridor as well as shops and restaurants on 82nd Avenue.
All three projects were identified in the East Portland in Motion plan as having strong community support but remained unfunded until voters approved Measure 26-173, which created the Fixing Our Streets Program.
The Fixing Our Streets program, paid for by a local gas tax approved by Portland voters in May 2016 and a heavy vehicle use tax, is Portland’s first local funding source for transportation. Fixing Our Streets is invested in street maintenance and safety improvements. The City Council ordinance included a project list that shows specific projects that are intended to be funded. The list of projects can be found at www.fixingourstreets.com.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation
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