Road crews again closed sections of SE Ash Street at 82nd Avenue this week as they service underground utilities and demolished a pedestrian refuge island. The round of work that started March 5th clears the way for substantial improvements to the protected pedestrian crossing at this intersection, replacing older infrastructure with a larger raised median that contains space for street trees or other plantings. The new mid-street structure will offer pedestrian cutouts for at-grade crossings from both corners of SE Ash Street, but it will now prevent drivers from turning left and prohibit cars from traveling through the intersection on SE Ash Street.
Contractors working for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) cut through the road surface at this intersection on Tuesday and removed the existing pedestrian refuge island. Soon, workers will install the currently staged sewer pipe underground, replacing the aging infrastructure in this area. In January, NW Natural Gas reworked pipes ahead of this median installation project. All utility companies must update their subsurface lines before the new above-ground concrete infrastructure potentially blocks access or causes interference.
This project is part of the 82nd Avenue Critical Fixes collection of safety improvements underway across 82nd Avenue. PBOT recently released its 60% Draft Concept Design for the 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project, which will add more raised medians, sidewalks, and street trees along 82nd Avenue. People interested in learning more or providing comments can attend a March 13th McDaniel High School hosted meeting at 2735 NE 82nd Avenue or complete an online survey. People traveling through SE Ash Street at 82nd Avenue should anticipate temporary lane closures and detours.
Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the Building a Better 82nd Community Advisory Group
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