Traffic Advisory: PBOT begins construction next week on NE Couch Rose Lane and 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway projects 

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Portland Bureau of Transportation

News media contact:
Hannah Schafer 
503-823-7238 
Hannah.Schafer@portlandoregon.gov 
@pbotinfo

Traffic Advisory:

PBOT begins construction on
NE Couch Rose Lane and 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway projects
 

Construction impacts will continue through August and include intermittent lane closures, parking restrictions and traffic delays 

NE Couch Rose Lane

Rendering of NE Couch Street at NE 9th Avenue, viewed from above perspective. PBOT will install a red bus-and-turn lane (BAT) lane on NE Couch Street between NE 12th and 6th avenues.

(July 29, 2022) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) begins construction next week on two new projects - the NE Couch Rose Lane Project and the NE/SE 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway Project. Each project will add connections to the Congressman Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge following its opening on July 31Construction is expected to last through the end of August. 

NE Couch Rose Lane Project  

This Rose Lane Project will improve speed and reliability for bus riders of TriMet lines 12, 19, and 20. Construction will begin at NE 12th Avenue and will continue for about three weekends as crews work their way west to NE 6th Avenue. 

NE Couch Rose Lane Map

A map of the NE Couch Rose Lane construction extents. Project construction will take place on NE Couch Street from NE 12th to 6th avenues.

PBOT will provide a bus-and-turn (BAT) lane on NE Couch Street between NE 12th and 6th avenues. The BAT lane will improve transit speed and reliability for bus riders on lines 12, 19, and 20.

In addition, PBOT will improve the bicycle connection to the Congressman Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge by extending the bike lane from 6th to 7th avenues. People biking will also be allowed to use BAT lane between NE 12th and 7th avenues.  

The project also includes traffic signal controller upgrades to better coordinate between approximately 30 traffic signals on NE Couch Street, E Burnside Street, NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, and NE Grand Avenue. 

This project also includes a general travel lane reallocation and one block of parking removal. The right travel lane will be reallocated between NE 6th and 12th avenues for the bus-and-turn lane. People driving will still be able to use the lane to make right turns at driveways and at intersections and to access on-street parking. Parking along the north side of NE Couch Street between NE 6th and 7th avenues will be removed. 

 

NE/SE 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway Project 

This Central City in Motion project will create a new, half-mile long north/south bike connection on NE/SE 7th Avenue between SE Washington Street and the new Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. In addition, PBOT will install a new westbound bike lane on the north side of SE Washington Street. 

Map of NE/SE 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway Improvements

A map of the NE/SE 7th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway construction extents and conceptual drawings. Project construction will take place on NE/SE 7th Avenue from the Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge to SE Washington and on SE Washington from 7th to 8th Avenues.

Construction consists of speed bumps to calm vehicle traffic speeds and reflective wands at select intersections will discourage cut-through traffic.  

Visibility and crossing safety will be improved by removing parking near intersections. In addition, parking will be removed on the north side of SE Washington between SE Sandy and 8th Avenue.  

The project will result in improved safety for people walking and bicycling and a stronger connection between the Central Eastside and Lloyd neighborhoods. 

People are invited to reimagine the future of 7th Avenue during the Blumenauer Bridge opening celebration July 31. The community group Depave, which focuses on transforming concrete areas into green spaces, will be hosting a block party at 7th Avenue and Sandy at 3 pm to demonstrate how this location could be used as a future community gathering space. 

 

Construction Impacts 

The traveling public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. We ask the public to travel slowly and cautiously in work zones, observe all detours and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. 

Expect dust, noise, vibrations, and heavy equipment near work zones.  As always, please keep crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while travelling through or near work zones.  

Parking will be restricted 1 to 2 days before crews begin construction.  

At least one lane of vehicle traffic will be maintained during construction. Pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained.  

People riding transit should visit trimet.org/#alerts/ for the latest service impacts.  

This work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change. 

PBOT will provide periodic updates throughout construction. To sign up for construction updates, visit portland.gov/necouch. 

Thank you for your cooperation and patience while we complete this work.    

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. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation