Starting on Monday, September 15th, contractors working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will begin creating new sidewalks on the south side of SE Washington Street from 80th Avenue to 82nd Avenue. This predominantly Fixing Our Streets-funded project will construct two blocks of paved sidewalks that have been missing from the streetscape for decades. Work coincides with recent updates to lane configuration on the street and includes the removal of a temporary TriMet bus platform, which the transit provider added in 2021 for rider safety. During construction, users of the eastbound 15 bus line will need to use an alternate boarding location as crews will close Stop ID 6165 near the SE 80th Avenue worksite.
This infrastructure work is the final phase of a multi-step project that includes sidewalk construction along the south side of SE Washington Street, updates to three sidewalk corners featuring Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, and creation of a curb extension for the northeast corner of SE Washington Street at SE 80th Avenue. The pedestrian zone extension at SE 80th will push the intersection corner into the adjacent parking lane to better align with the recently rebuilt northwest corner and shorten the crosswalk distance for people crossing SE Washington Street.
In 2024, crews completed previous phases of project work, installing a sump maintenance hole at the intersection of SE 81st Avenue and SE Washington Street. Around that time, contractors working on the 70s Greenway project installed an enhanced crossing point for SE Washington Street at SE 80th Avenue featuring rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) that cyclists and pedestrians can activate to alert motorists of their intent to enter the roadway.
The lack of sidewalks along these two blocks stems from the early platting of Montavilla. In pre-twentieth-century uses, these adjacent parcels existed in a superblock bordered by Base Line Road(now SE Stark Street), 82nd Avenue, Taylor Street, and 80th Avenue. It later became part of the Goodhue Park land division. Now they host Milwaukie Lumber’s lumberyard storage and an Atlas Motors used car lot. Both businesses have frequent curb-cuts for driveway access that cement masons will recreate when pouring concrete for new sidewalks.
Buses and cyclists will lose access to the south side curb-adjacent lane in the project area while crews work in the area. Drivers already gained a through and right-turn combined lane during the recent reconfiguration of SE Washington Street at 82nd Avenue, which should remain open during construction. This sidewalk infill work will enhance pedestrian and transit access to the area while making safer crossing points. Work is weather-dependent, and delays could prolong the bus stop closure. Riders should continue to check TriMet’s website or trip planner until the stop reopens.
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