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News media contact:

Hannah Schafer
(971) 235-8472

hannah.schafer@portlandoregon.gov

@pbotinfo

News Release:

Construction begins on highly anticipated N Greeley Avenue Multiuse Path and Paving Project, paid for by Fixing Our Streets

The project will increase safety for freight, motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic

A rendering of the future bicycle connection for the N Greeley Multiuse Path. Illustration by PBOT.

(Oct. 10, 2019) Work has begun on the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) N Greeley Avenue Multiuse Path and Paving Project. The Fixing Our Streets funded project will repave the entire width of N Greeley Avenue from  Going Street to Interstate Avenue and install a two-way, 1-mile path on the east side of N Greeley Avenue along the same stretch separated by a concrete barrier.

N Greeley Avenue is a busy, high-speed road with heavy freight vehicle traffic. On Greeley, there are 25,000 motor vehicle trips per day and 15% of them are trucks; some vehicles travel at speeds of up to 60 mph. The street  also carries distinct classifications as a Major City Bikeway—providing a direct bicycle connection between St. Johns and the central city—a Priority Truck Street, and a City Walkway. "We know that protected bike lanes are safer for people biking and driving” said Alex Zimmerman, co-chair of the Portland’s Bicycle Advisory Committee. “N Greeley is an important link in our bikeway network, and this project will benefit everyone using the corridor while protecting some of our most vulnerable road users." The installation of a protected multiuse path is expected to reduce bike crashes. The roadside barriers will also reduce the severity of crashes and prevent run off the road crashes. When the work is complete in early 2020, the new street configuration will look like this:

Lane reductions and bike detours during construction

During construction, incremental lane closures will be required along N Greeley Avenue. PBOT traffic engineers will monitor traffic in the area closely and make adjustments to the traffic control plan as necessary to accommodate freight and other traffic accessing Swan Island. This is critical because of the lane closures on the N Going Street Bridge following the Union Pacific train derailment last month.

People biking are asked to use the designated bicycle detour on N Interstate Avenue and Willamette Boulevard during construction. The detour is expected to remain in place for the duration of construction, which is estimated to be completed by late-winter, early-spring 2020.

We ask the public to travel cautiously, observe all lane detours and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. Learn what you can expect in our work zones and how you can help everyone stay safe by watching this video: https://youtu.be/lx3RkJjkjSE

The project is funded by a City Council-approved Major Maintenance Set-Aside as well as the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax through the voter-approved Fixing Our Streets. The total project budget is $1,800,000.

For more information, please visit the N Greeley Avenue Multiuse Path and Paving Project website.  

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

The City of Portland complies with all non‐discrimination, Civil Rights laws including Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II. To help ensure equal access to City programs, services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify policies/procedures and provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities. Call 503-823-5185, TTY 503-823-6868 or Oregon Relay Service: 711 with such requests, or visit http://bit.ly/13EWaCg