In late December, crews returned to SE 82nd Avenue at Ash Street, constructing a new median island to prevent left turns and provide pedestrians with safer crossing infrastructure. This mid-street raised infrastructure will contain new street trees and feature water-permeable soil cover to aid tree growth in sufficiently irrigated dirt. This in-road work is the final build phase for this intersection, where workers previously updated utilities and store water management before reconstructing the corner ramps and adding rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) signal hardware.
To install the new median, crews cut through all layers of the road in the center turn lane and excavated several feet deep. This large trench, placed to the north and south of two street-level pedestrian median cutouts, will provide space for new soil that future tree roots can expand into as they grow to maturity. Arborists working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will plant and maintain trees during their early years, watering and replacing them as needed.
RRFB request buttons and connective wiring are still needed at this crossing before PBOT can activate the signal lights. When completed, pedestrians and cyclists can activate the flashing yellow lights that indicate drivers on SE 82nd Avenue should yield. The raised median island also gives crossers a safe space to wait for traffic to stop as they travel across the five-lane road. These crosswalks at SE Ash Street are closed until workers complete the mid-street construction. During the closure, people should detour to the signalized crosswalks at E Burnside Street or SE Stark Street. Contractors are on track to complete this project in early 2025, but winter weather could push some final work to later in the year.
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