Work is well underway on constructing three curb ramps on SE Harrison Street between SE 76th and 75th Avenues. This July, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) demolished old sidewalk infrastructure before reconstruction of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps on a route frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists accessing Mt. Tabor Park. This sidewalk corner reconstruction will complete accessible infrastructure work on this segment of SE Harrison Street, started in 2023. However, paved sidewalks on this street are functionally non-existent west of SE 75th Avenue through the park.
The accessible curb ramp construction work is occurring at two “T” intersections, with the mid-block north-most parallel curb ramp recently completed. Engineers reserve this less common design for curb-tight sidewalks where there is not enough room for a level turning space at the top of the ramp. Instead of a single slope to the street, two opposing sidewalk ramps lower the sidewalk surface to a flat space that allows a person using a mobility device to turn 90 degrees before crossing at street level.
For north-south traveling pedestrians on the west side of SE 76th Avenue, the newly reconstructed southwest corner ramp will align with the existing northwest extended sidewalk corner. This design encourages people wanting to cross SE 76th Avenue to use the high-visibility crosswalk that extends over the intersection’s northern crossing point. The southwest corner had an existing ramp that no longer complies with ADA standards and needed reconstruction to better provide universal access.
Curb ramp reconstruction often requires stormwater improvements to keep water from blocking the repositioned crossing points. This project added four stormwater catch basins to SE Harrison Street, reducing the impact of rainwater runoff on this street, which is downslope from Mt. Tabor.
This work is part of Portland’s commitment to its residents who need accessible access to city infrastructure. PBOT must reconstruct a set number of non-ADA-compliant sidewalk corners yearly to meet a 2018 Curb Ramp Consent Decree requirement. Road work like this project requires long stretches of good weather, and crews tend to fit them between other work. People should expect to see work continue over the next few weeks. During construction, pedestrians must use sidewalk detours or cross the street to avoid construction, and drivers should use caution while passing crews working along the street’s edge.
Update August 5, 2025: Crews poured concrete for the two remaining sidewalk corners and new stormwater catch basin curb.
