Tag: TriMet

2026 Transit Driver Appreciation Day March 18

TriMet will observe this year’s Transit Driver Appreciation Day on March 18th. For over a decade, the municipal transportation corporation has used this day to invite its users to thank those who keep the system moving. If riding on public transportation this Wednesday, event organizers encourage people to say “thank you,” wave, give a card, or smile at the operator. Riders can sign a banner at one of four transit center locations or post their message of thanks on an online kudoboard.

A smiling transit driver in a blue uniform sitting in a bus, promoting Transit Driver Appreciation Day on March 18 with a heart graphic that says 'Thank you'.
Image courtesy triMet

TriMet’s role is critical in building housing density and lowering Oregon’s carbon output. Modern Portland multi-family developments often lack onsite parking or offer minimal vehicle storage space. This development model helps maximize the housing units on a property and encourages people to forgo a private vehicle. Instead, city planners who rezone for more density anticipate that residents will use other commuting methods, including public transit. This model should reduce the environmental impact of transportation in Oregon, but it depends on fast and effective alternatives that use less polluting propulsion. TriMet is the largest transportation provider in the region for those without personal vehicles, providing over 56 million rides in the 2025 fiscal year.


Sign a banner at one of these transit centers:


Transit drivers are not only responsible for safely moving people throughout the community but also play an impactful role in reducing climate change and mitigating the housing crisis. TriMet drivers always welcome daily appreciation, but March 18th is an appropriate time to communicate your gratitude.


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TriMet 19 Bus Line Likely Saved from Cost Cuts

At the beginning of the year, TriMet announced a series of proposed cost-cutting measures planned for August and asked for rider feedback via an online survey. Those early cost-saving adjustments would have eliminated the Line 19 Bus route, among other reductions, and its closure would have ended NE Glisan Street’s century-long run as Montavilla’s transit backbone. The transit provider updates its proposal with a partially restored Line 19 route that will retain most of the existing path from the Gateway Transit Center to Downtown Portland. The TriMet Board of Directors will consider the updated proposals and vote on these changes on April 22nd.

Other potential changes were also refined to lessen reported impact but would similarly reduce functionality for transit users, push more people to existing TriMet lines, or encourage driving to some destinations. TriMet leaders are trying to close a $300 million annual budget gap through a variety of measures. Since first announcing the issue in July 2025, the transit agency says it has reduced spending by about $150 million through cutting expenses, eliminating staff positions, and pausing service expansion efforts. The next round of reductions aims to trim service or remove low-ridership lines where riders have other, sometimes less functional, options. In fiscal year 2025 (July 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025), 15,600 riders boarded Line 19 each week. Of those weekly transit users, 7,617 started their trip between I-205 and stops at Southwest Lincoln Street and 4th Avenue in Downtown Portland. Losing that route alarmed some riders, who were vocal in their opposition to the change.

A comparative map of the MAX Green Line showing the current route on the left and the proposed route for March 2026 on the right, featuring various stops and line connections.
TriMet graphic from March 2026 showing current and proposed cuts to the MAX Green Line and Line 19 bus route among others

The updated plans for the NE Glisan Street bus would maintain Line 19 along the busy commercial street where it serves several high-traffic destinations, including Providence Portland Medical Center. Downtown, the updated route would connect with the Line 58 path, creating a direct transit link between the Beaverton and Gateway transit centers. The line’s name would change to “19-Glisan/Canyon Rd” to reflect the updated path west of Downtown Portland. Lines 4 and 10 buses would cover some of the southeast leg of the route currently served by Line 19.

Map showing the current and proposed MAX Green Line routes in Portland, Oregon, with key transit stations highlighted.
TriMet graphic from January 2026 showing current and proposed cuts to the MAX Green Line and Line 19 bus route among others

TriMet encourages riders to visit trimet.org/servicecuts to see how changes could impact commutes. Decision makers will receive public input ahead of their April 2026 vote via email to boardtestimony@trimet.org, by phone at 503-238-7433, or by providing comments at the next two Board meetings, which take place at 9 a.m. March 18th and 25th.

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TriMet Moves Forward with Nearly 7 Miles of Transit-Priority Lanes on 82nd Ave

On Friday, February 13th, TriMet leadership instructed the 82nd Avenue Transit Project designers to work toward creating 7 miles of Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes along most of Portland’s portion of 82nd Avenue. The transformative project would convert the 72 bus line into a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system under TriMet’s FX (Frequent Express) moniker, with high-capacity vehicles, modern stations, traffic signal priority, and, now, transit priority on the outer lanes of 82nd Avenue. This updated project scope will increase the current project’s proposed $350 million budget by at least $8 million, and the project partners are depending on yet-unawarded $150 million in federal funding.

TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. made the directive to advance the incorporation of significant BAT lane allocation in the design at the project’s Policy & Budget Committee meeting. This follows months of public dispute over restricting a lane of automotive travel in each direction on a busy north/south connector road that was formerly a state highway until transferring to Portland’s ownership in 2022. BAT lanes serve two primary functions in a transportation network. They are focused on providing local access for vehicles on congested streets and on providing transit systems with a less encumbered lane to move more reliably between stops. Advocates for the design note that driving to a business’s parking lot entrance on a busy road requires a visitor to wait in rush-hour congestion even if they turn onto the street a block away. In those conditions, it can also take a significant time for a motorist leaving a driveway to exit and merge into traffic. BAT lanes can help address those situations by requiring all outer-lane travelers in private vehicles to turn right within a block. Supporters also tout the BAT lanes used by emergency vehicles, which can speed through congestion when time matters.

A green public transit bus stopped at a modern bus station with a clear shelter and seating area, surrounded by bike lanes and pedestrian pathways.

BAT lanes are strongly supported by surveyed residents who favor a faster, more effective BRT system on 82nd Avenue. People who spoke in support at the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings also appreciated the anticipated reduced speed of BAT lanes on the curb adjacent portion of the road. 82nd Avenue once had parking along its outer edges that later became travel lanes, leaving pedestrians and fast-moving vehicles inches apart. However, many businesses are concerned about the economic impact of a sudden change in vehicle throughput. Although 82nd Avenue is not at capacity at all times of day, it does often become congested, and transportation models indicate that introducing this level of BAT lanes will divert 20 to 25 percent of traffic to other routes during peak times. Local businesses that started their ventures on a state highway years ago worry that this change will force them to relocate or close as their customers take a different route to avoid heightened congestion. People advocating for 82nd Avenue to transform into a more pedestrian-forward design say that new shoppers will come by foot and by bus, but that mode shift can take years, and many of the small businesses that have made up 82nd Avenue’s culture say they cannot survive the transition timeline, which is far from certain.

Map showing city/county limits with SE Clatsop St and NE Lombard St, intersecting streets including SE Powell Blvd and SE Foster Rd, and I-84 orientation.
Feb 13 Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes graphic courtesy TriMet with MV News directional notation

The TriMet adopted design for BAT lanes closely represents the community-supported design, and the project 82nd Avenue Transit Project CAC endorsed design, referred to as the “More BAT Lanes” option, with one notable exception. The nearly seven miles of transit-priority updates will stop before and resume after SE Powell Boulevard. During the January 28th CAC meeting, presenters explained that because that cross street is still a state highway, the Oregon Department of Transportation would require significant improvements at that intersection and on SE 92nd Avenue to accommodate the agency’s design standards for vehicle throughput. They explained that it would dramatically increase project costs or significantly delay the design process, seeking exemptions.

The project is targeting a 72 FX Line opening in 2029 and still has many milestones to meet before construction can begin. Planners need to find additional funds for the BAT lane portion of the project and secure federal funding in a challenging time for states seeking support from national leaders. TriMet says the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave the project a Medium-High rating, a strong indicator that it could receive those funds. Proponents of the BRT investment point to this corridor as an essential focus for efforts. TriMet’s Line 72 bus provides nearly 66,000 rides each week and is the busiest bus line in TriMet’s system. It also represents the highest-ridership bus line in all of Oregon, making it an ideal candidate for upsizing to strengthen the network’s backbone. Many riders use this route along 82nd Avenue to the Clackamas Town Center to connect with other lines. Transit designers say reliable and timely performance is essential to improving the network and reducing future congestion by getting more people out of personal vehicles for daily commutes. People can provide comments and learn more at the project website (trimet.org/82nd/).

Disclosure: The author of this article previously served on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC).


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Rosa Parks Birthday Free Transit Feb 4

TriMet will honor Rosa Parks with free rides for all passengers this Wednesday, February 4th. Transit operators will suspend fare collection on that day until 2 a.m. February 5th. Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN operators will also offer rides without cost in observation of the civil rights icon’s 113th birthday. Riders who tap a Hop card or ticket will receive confirmation of valid fare, but the automated systems won’t charge them, and ticket machines will not allow any ticket purchases on February 4th.

In 2020, TriMet’s District 5 Director Keith Edwards proposed the resolution declaring Parks’ birthday as a day of remembrance across the public transportation system. That year, TriMet adopted the fare holiday across the 533-square-mile service district to recognize Parks’ contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. 2026 is the sixth straight year TriMet has commemorated the bravery of Parks, whose name is most notably associated with the struggle to bring equity to public transportation as part of a wider racial equality movement.

Graphic honoring Rosa Parks with her silhouette, text stating 'RIDE FREE' and 'Feb 4 Celebrating Rosa Parks' birthday'.
Graphic courtesy TriMet

On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks challenged Montgomery, Alabama’s segregationist city ordinance that required black Americans to give up seats in the “Colored” section of the bus for white riders when the reserved white section ran out of seats. Parks’ refusal of the bus driver’s commands to give up her seat resulted in her arrest. Her act of civil disobedience led to the year-long Montgomery bus boycott and a significant court decision that found bus segregation unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Parks suffered years of harassment for her role as a public face of the Civil Rights movement. Still, history has quickly recognized her contributions to equality through that 1955 peaceful act of defiance, and her later work, which has had a lasting impact on America’s ongoing effort to repair its racial inequities.

Proposed TriMet Cuts Could Abandon a Century-Old Transit Corridor

Recently, TriMet announced a series of proposed cost-cutting measures planned for this August. Elimination of the Line 19 Bus route is among the possible reductions, and its closure would end NE Glisan Street’s century-long run as Montavilla’s transit backbone. Other potential changes would similarly reduce functionality for transit users, push more people to existing TriMet lines, or encourage driving to a destination. People have until January 31st to contribute their perspective on these updates via an online survey.

TriMet leaders are trying to close a $300 million annual budget gap through a variety of measures. Since first announcing the issue in July 2025, the transit agency says it has reduced spending by about $150 million through cutting expenses, eliminating staff positions, and pausing service expansion efforts. The next round of reductions aims to trim service or remove low-ridership lines where riders have other, sometimes less functional, options. In fiscal year 2025 (July 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025), 15,600 riders boarded Line 19 each week. Of those weekly transit users, 7,617 started their trip between I-205 and stops at Southwest Lincoln Street and 4th Avenue in Downtown Portland.

Comparison map showing the current and proposed routes of the MAX Green Line, highlighting changes in bus and light rail stops.
TriMet graphic showing current and proposed cuts to the MAX Green Line and Line 19 bus route among others

For people accustomed to boarding a bus on NE Glisan, TriMet recommends the Line 20 bus on East Burnside Street, with the MAX Blue or Red lines also offering options for those close to stations. The Line 20 already sees almost double the ridership of the Line 19, with 59,618 weekly boardings in fiscal year 2025. However, for some riders, walking an extra 1,200 feet between NE Glisan Street and East Burnside is a significant burden. It also ends the historic role transit played in forming Montavilla and the commercial corridor along NE Glisan Street.

A historic map from the Hart Royal Company featuring real estate details in Portland, including streetcar lines and subdivision layouts.
These details of the 1889 Hart-Royal Company broadside for Mount Tabor Villa Addition show an extension of the Morrison Street Bridge Motor Line going through the subdivision (the red rectangle on the right). Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society

Starting in 1889, Montavilla developers sold parcels to residents based on future transit service along NE Glisan Street—originally named Villa Avenue—in advertising for the Addition. By 1892, the operators of the City and Suburban Railway extended their East Ankeny line to Montavilla on Glisan up to 82nd Avenue, but without the full loop around Mt. Tabor. In 1948, streetcar service in Montavilla ceased, with buses replacing trolleys. That era of transit service to the neighborhood helped businesses flourish and shaped the community around that corridor.

In addition to the potential elimination of Line 19, East Portland transit users could see the Green MAX light rail line shortened to only run between the Clackamas Town Center station and the Gateway Transit Center, prompting riders to transfer to other lines to continue downtown. TriMet’s highest ridership bus, Line 72, would retain current service levels on 82nd Avenue but reduce evening service between Cully Boulevard and Swan Island to every 30 minutes after 8 p.m. and once an hour after 10 p.m. The Line 20 could terminate at the Sunset Transit Center instead of continuing to the Beaverton Transit Center, and Line 77 buses may have route adjustments west of NE 9th Avenue. All riders should review the trimet.org/servicecuts site for details that may impact their future commute.

TriMet bus marked '72 82ND AVE' driving down a city street.

TriMet encourages transit commuters and occasional riders to complete the online survey by January 31st so its planners can make modifications before this summer’s planned cutbacks. Business owners whose employees and customers depend on TriMet service may also want to contribute their perspective in the survey, as transit service has historically improved business district prosperity. People concerned about these reductions in service can also reach out to their state representatives to ask for more public transit funding, particularly in light of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s call for lawmakers to scrap the newly passed transportation bill, which is facing implementation delays due to opposition efforts. Additional State funding for transit districts from a replacement Transportation Act could soften TriMet cuts as it attempts to balance its budget.


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Transit Impact on Recreational and Historic Areas Survey

As part of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project currently under development, Oregon Metro and TriMet have launched a survey to gauge the impact of station construction on recreational and historic areas along the planned Bus Rapid Transit route. Provided details and several questions focus on work to convert the existing bus stop in front of the Montavilla Community Center, at 8219 NE Glisan Street, into an FX–Frequent Express station. Additional improvements impacting the recreational center include widening the connecting sidewalk along Montavilla Park’s NE 82nd Avenue frontage.

Mosaic artwork depicting various athletic figures on the brick wall of the Montavilla Community Center.

Transit line improvements will provide faster bus service along 82nd Avenue from the Cully
neighborhood to Clackamas Town Center through a partnership between TriMet, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and Metro. The project offers several components that will impact 72 bus riders and street users along the route. Draft plans will transform some sections of the pedestrian zone near stations by improving sidewalks where they connect to new boarding platforms, offering covered seating, lighting, trash cans, and digital signage similar to some FX2 stops on SE Division Street.

Expanding the sidewalk width along Montavilla Park’s western edge and creating the FX station would push the property line eastward towards a row of mature trees, making 1,300 square feet of parkland public right-of-way. Construction crews would stage materiel along the worksite using 1.37% of the adjacent park property for temporary access. TriMet expects construction work to begin in 2027 and last around two months. Visitors will retain access to the park and community center throughout the project.

Map showing the proposed improvements for the Montavilla Park and Community Center area, highlighting sidewalk widening, transit station platform, and construction impacts along the Bus Rapid Transit route.
Montavilla Park site diagram courtesy TriMet and Metro

Transit planners have asked community members to complete several surveys meant to guide the 82nd Avenue Transit Project. However, this outreach is designed to share specific information about park, recreational, and historic resources in the project corridor that pertain to federal regulations governing the transit planning process. Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act prevents harm to publicly owned parks, recreation areas, and historic sites that are along this transportation project’s path. The survey documents explain that “transportation agencies must show there is no feasible and prudent alternative and that all possible measures are taken to minimize harm.”

The other federal regulation under consideration is Section 106, which requires federal agencies to consider a project’s impact on historic properties. The Milepost 5 Apartments—originally the German Baptist Old People’s Home—at 823 NE 82nd Avenue is on the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP), and designs will need to minimize impact to that site. TriMet plans to remove the bus stop and shelter in front of that property and build a new FX station 300 feet north on the same block. Historians and archaeologists will evaluate the history, setting, and characteristics of older buildings and sites to determine whether any other resources in the project area are eligible for listing on the NHRP.

Exterior view of the Milepost 5 building, showcasing a brick structure with windows and a sign displaying 'MILEPOST 5' along with 'ART HAUS' and additional text, surrounded by landscaped grass and trees.
National Register of Historic Places registered German Baptist Old People’s Home at 823 NE 82nd Avenue (now Milepost 5 Apartments)

Survey questions allow community guidance on preservation considerations and gather comments on plans that could impact recreational spaces along 82nd Avenue, which may be affected by the transit development. The survey is available until January 18th, 2026.

Disclosure: The author of this article previously served on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC).


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NE 82nd Ave MAX Station Elevator Closes for a Week as Station Renovations Continue

TriMet will close the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station elevator from October 20th to the 27th for scheduled maintenance. This Monday-to-Monday closure in this location follows months of construction that require people to walk on temporary scaffolding-style stairs to access the boarding platform and, at times, clog the bus stop pullouts above the station with construction vehicles. Riders needing to use an elevator during this time can detour to the NE 60th Ave MAX Station west of the NE 82nd Avenue stop and take a shuttle bus connecting that location to the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center.

Construction workers on scaffolding above the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station elevator, with light rail tracks and traffic visible below.
Temporary scaffolding-style stairs at the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station

Since June, crews working on TriMet’s NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project have made substantial progress, completely resurfacing the station’s concrete platform and rebuilding the stairs at the 82nd Avenue light rail stop. During the project, riders have used a temporary platform constructed to the west of NE 82nd Avenue and adjacent to Interstate 84. The reconstruction efforts will add a new weather shelter to the station and add a pedestal for the future art piece, which TriMet plans to install between the two shelters. The frequently used stairs connecting NE 82nd Avenue to the light rail platform will contain the same number of landings and treads. However, the project will replace the concrete railing walls with steel guardrails, enhancing the riders’ sense of openness through greater visibility. This station was part of the original MAX Blue Line and one of the most heavily used light rail stations on the system, dictating this extensive improvement project. TriMet anticipates completing this station work by the end of 2025.

Sign indicating how to access the elevator at NE 82nd Ave MAX Station, featuring tap and scan instructions for fare validation.
TriMet elevator access control reader

The week-long elevator closure is essential to keeping this mobility resource functioning through demanding and sometimes rough usage. In May, TriMet expanded its test access control program at the Hollywood Transit Center to include the NE 60th Ave and NE 82nd Ave MAX stations. People wanting to access the grade-separated platforms now need to present a valid fare to a digital reader before elevator doors open. They are not charged for the use, but need to verify paid system usage for access. This change has the potential to reduce equipment misuse and keep the assistive access devices available to riders who require them. TriMet provides a system elevator status page available for riders who have difficulty using stairs at trimet.org/elevators. People should check this page before traveling to ensure availability if they intend to use an elevator.

Update October 27, 2025: TriMet announced the elevator at its NE 82nd Ave MAX Station is back in service.


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MAX and Bus Riders Check Schedules for Aug 24 Updates

Transit riders accustomed to specific schedules should check their route starting Sunday, August 24th. TriMet will adjust schedules for MAX lines and many buses that East Portlanders depend on. The FX2 Bus Rapid Transit line on SE Division and Line 20 bus are shifting times by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time. This shift will not significantly impact people’s ability to arrive at destinations on time, but could cause the unprepared rider to miss a connection they have grown accustomed to. The transit agency recommends commuters check its Trip Planner on or after August 24th to confirm their travel plans. People can also preview changes at the organization’s website.

TriMet bus Line 20 with a 'BURNSIDE/STARK' destination sign driving on a street in East Portland.

Riders of MAX trains or bus Line 40, Line 53, Line 54, and Line 288 should review the upcoming changes at TriMet’s website. People should also note that the transit agency will close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station on August 24th, after years of planning for improved light rail travel times through downtown. Commuters who use the Beaverton, Oregon City, or Tigard Transit Centers will need to learn new stop orientations as TriMet adjusts to accommodate more service or construction-related considerations.

These minor adjustments will not likely impact many riders’ overall usage of the transit system, but people should prepare themselves before heading out next week.


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SE Washington Repaving From SE 82nd to 92nd

On August 14th, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will begin repairing and repaving SE Washington Street from SE 82nd Avenue to SE 92nd Avenue. The week-and-a-half-long project will disrupt traffic as heavy equipment grinds down old asphalt and spreads a new layer of aggregate bound with bitumen. However, crews will maintain one lane of eastward travel on the one-way street for motorists and transit access. Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians during construction. Signal installation specialists are currently working on SE 82nd Avenue and SE Washington Street, installing a left-turn light for southbound motorists turning east.

Map illustrating Montavilla improvements including types of enhancements such as ADA curb ramps, bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, and upgraded traffic signals.
Graphic courtesy PBOT

PBOT expects active work hours to run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during business days, and crews may need to work during the weekend. Contractors plan to complete one travel lane before moving to the adjacent side of the street so people can always travel through the area, but some local access may become blocked as crews work. Flaggers and barricades will allow TriMet buses to move through travel lanes under construction. However, riders should check for any temporary stop closures or delays impacting the 15 bus line.

View of SE Washington Street featuring traffic signs, crosswalks, and surrounding greenery, near SE 92nd Avenue.
SE Washington St looking west at SE 82nd Ave

This work supports the Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project underway to improve pedestrian and multimodal travel. Work on this project has already replaced gravel streets on segments of SE Clinton Street with new sidewalks and pavement. Road crews are continuing improvements to sidewalks along SE 85th Avenue from SE Division Street to SE Powell Boulevard, creating a calm and continuous pedestrian pathway parallel to SE 82nd Avenue. After PBOT repaves SE Washington Street during this phase of work, crews will permanently remove curbside parking on the south side of the street east of SE 80th Avenue and begin installing protected bike lanes against the curb up to SE 92nd Avenue, with a bus and right-turn-only lane next to it. Striping plans show TriMet bus drivers will have a consistent bus lane from SE 80th Avenue past SE 90th Avenue, with motorists having right-turn-only access to that bus lane at intersections. The SE 86th Avenue intersection will use a shared bus, bicycle, and right-turn lane due to the narrow street created by extended curbs installed in 2023.

View of SE Washington Street featuring a hydrant and trees along the roadside, with a partially repaved street and visible construction signs.
Recently enhanced crossings of SE Washington St at SE 84th Ave

PBOT recently enhanced the crossings of SE Washington Street at SE 84th Avenue for north-south traveling pedestrians. New corners offer Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps and curb extensions on the north side, shortening the crossing distance. After repaving, high-visibility crosswalks on the east and west edges of the intersection will indicate to drivers they need to yield for pedestrians at this enhanced crossing.

Two workers in safety gear are using a bucket truck to install traffic signals at the intersection of SE Washington Street and SE 82nd Avenue, with street signs visible.
Signal crews with Interlaken installing a left-turn light for southbound motorists turning east

Signs placed along SE Washington Street prohibit curbside parking on both sides of the street from SE 82nd Avenue to just east of SE 92nd Avenue. Drivers should anticipate some delays when traveling through the worksite, and people should follow crew instructions to remain safe on the street. Drivers may want to use an alternate route for the next seven business days. NE Glisan Street is a viable alternative for those trying to drive to the Gateway district or connect to Interstate-205.

Update August 18th, 2025: PBOT road crews began grinding of the top layer of old asphalt in the southernmost lane of SE Washington Street from SE 82nd to 92nd Avenues.

A street construction scene featuring heavy machinery on SE Washington Street, with workers in safety vests overseeing the repaving process.

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SE 82nd at Division Paving Two weeks in August

Drivers using SE 82nd Avenue and SE Division Street should anticipate two weeks of traffic disruption starting on Monday, August 4th. Crews from Raimore Construction working with The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) will close lanes for repaving from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the project, with two Friday night work times from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday. That overnight construction occurs on August 8th to 9th and August 15th to 16th, when the project planners estimate the repaving work will conclude. During the traffic disruption, barriers will consolidate 82nd Avenue to one lane in each direction, and flaggers will prohibit left turns onto Division Street during working hours.

Traffic signal at the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and Division Street, showing vehicles waiting at a red light and a pedestrian crossing.

This roadwork supports ongoing safety and maintenance upgrades on 82nd Avenue required to address deferred maintenance issues identified after the jurisdictional transfer of the former state Highway from the Oregon Department of Transportation to PBOT on June 1st, 2022. Unlike many repaving projects that only grind off the top layer of asphalt and replace it with a fresh mixture of aggregate and bitumen, this project requires more significant work in the outer lanes. In its early stages, 82nd Avenue initially supported only three lanes of traffic, with one lane for vehicles traveling in each direction and a center turn lane. Transportation officials reserved the outer edges of the street for parking, and engineers did not build parking pavement to the same standard as the street’s center. When transportation officials removed parking to add another travel lane in each direction, they did not update the road’s supporting base, leading to premature wear. Crews working on this project will need to remove the outer lanes to their base layer and reengineer it to support the weight of vehicles in motion above it before repaving the whole surface. The results will provide a smoother road surface that should last longer before requiring future repairs.

Diagram illustrating the paving process for the 82nd Avenue major maintenance project, depicting steps for excavation, grinding, and paving along with construction of median center islands and tree planting.
Paving graphic courtesy PBOT

PBOT expects the early August work to create significant traffic impacts, with the greatest delays occurring during the morning and evening commutes. All street users should anticipate delays, including pedestrians and transit users. Crews will turn off the traffic signal at SE 82nd Avenue and Division, and flaggers will direct traffic through the intersection. North and southbound drivers on 82nd Avenue will only have the option to travel straight or turn right at SE Division Street. Excavation work on the outer lanes will temporarily block some business driveway access. Raimore Construction representatives will work with affected properties to limit workplace disruptions, and drivers must follow worker directions in the worksite to remain safe and not cause damage by driving into an unsafe space.

View of SE 82nd Avenue showing traffic cones and construction barriers alongside the road, indicating ongoing repaving work.

Repaving will begin on the west side of SE 82nd Avenue and transition to the east side of the street midway through the project. PBOT anticipates that at least one travel lane in each direction will remain open. Businesses on 82nd Avenue will remain open during construction. However, locations closest to the roadwork should expect dust, noise, and vibrations from the heavy equipment working in the area. Street sweeping equipment will traverse the site to remove construction debris. TriMet’s website does not currently list any stop closures for the 72 bus line, but transit riders should check for service impacts before heading out between August 4th and 16th.

Update August 5,2025: TriMet stopes in the area re closed with the following message about temporary stop locations. “Through Friday, August 8, no service to the southbound stops at 2200 Block 82nd (Stop ID 7923), SE 82nd & Clinton (Stop ID 7948) and SE 82nd & Division (Stop ID 7958) due to construction. Use the temporary stops approx. 400 ft north of 2200 Block on utility pole, and approx.500 ft south of Clinton on utility pole.”


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