Sidewalk Infill on SE 82nd North of Division

Crews with Raimore Construction are creating a new paved sidewalk on the east side of SE 82nd Avenue north of SE Division Street. The work will replace mostly asphalt pedestrian walkways with standard city concrete sidewalks that better connect pedestrians to a pre-existing rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) enhanced mid-block crossing. When completed, pedestrians will gain over 300 feet of accessible walkway with defined driveway access points.

This work is part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Building a Better 82nd initiative and its 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project. Since the jurisdictional transfer of 82nd Avenue from the Oregon Department of Transportation to PBOT on June 1st, 2022, planners have worked to implement safety improvements and address deferred maintenance along the seven-mile stretch of roadway. This short section of sidewalk infill addresses one of many areas on the former State Highway where legacy infrastructure leaves people outside of cars more vulnerable to injury. The previous asphalt walkway created a fuzzy line between where the sidewalk starts and the parking lot ends. It also allowed driveway curb cuts to extend into the pedestrian zone wider than needed so drivers could turn into the business parking area in unpredictable spots. The sloped surface of the asphalt could become challenging for people who use assistive mobility devices and limited access.

*_{82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project Draft Design graphic courtesy PBOT}*

The sidewalk conditions directly to the north and south of this infill project are of varying conditions and widths but at least adhered to general sidewalk standards. The intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and Division Street is a frequently used transit corridor, and many people need to use the sidewalks in this area to connect or transfer from the TriMet 72 and FX 2 lines. This location is also directly across the street from Portland Community College’s Southeast campus, which has the potential to generate substantial foot traffic when students attend in-person classes.

Sidewalk work is underway in front of Taboo Video at 2330 SE 82nd Avenue. Work will continue south along the east side of SE 82nd Avenue. Drivers should anticipate curbside lane closures during the project and follow flagger directions to allow business access during construction. Pedestrians should use SE 82nd Avenue’s west sidewalk or follow the sidewalk detour around the worksite. Crews working for PBOT will install additional in-street extended median islands in the center turn lane at a future date.