Powell Boulevard work, Phase 2, finally gets underway

How long can it take to improve the safety of a major outer East Portland road? See what Centennial Community Group neighbors learned from ODOT, at their last meeting …

At this Centennial Community Association general meeting, ODOT officials share updated information about “Phase 2” of the Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

About two dozen folks came to the April 4th Centennial Community Association (CCA) General Meeting, all of them eager to get an update about the Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project.

During self-introductions, some of the attendees snickered in disbelief when your reporter pointed out that East Portland News had been covering this story, with the help of Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) today’s Region Area Manager Shelli Romero, for more than a dozen years.

“I think it’s longer that that, David,” Romero admitted with a smile.

Looking back, this highway project actually predates even our own collaboration by a decade.

The Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project was discussed starting in 2005. ODOT presented their plans to “create a study, to make a study” about improving this well-traveled thoroughfare in both the CCA and Powellhurst Gilbert Neighborhood Association areas.

>> Interested in the slow but steady progress of this project? Check out some of the many East Portland News we’ve published over the years, at the end of this story …

Telling about the project is Shelli Romero, ODOT Region 1 Area Manager.

“I’ve been working on this project, dating back to the start of the East Portland Action Plan, so, it’s been about 18 years,” Romero told East Portland News.

“Now, bringing your readers up to date, we had enough funding in 2020 to construct the ‘Phase 1’ segment, from SE 122nd Avenue to 136th Avenue, which was completed,” said Romero. “Now, construction has begun on Phase 2; from the I-205 Freeway to 122nd Avenue’ – and also, from 136th Avenue out to 174th Avenue.

“When it’s completed, in about 2029, all the of SE Powell Boulevard corridor – starting at the east end and moving west – all the way from Gresham to the Freeway – it’ll all have safety improvements,” Romero confirmed.

This ODOT graphic shows the areas impacted by the multiple construction projects slated for the next five years.

Roadway, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements will include:

Installing sidewalks were there are not any now
Providing a mix of separated and sidewalk level bicycle lanes
Installing center turn lanes for cars, buses, and trucks for safer turns into reduce backups
Transit stop improvements
Storm drains to prevent water from pulling on the road
Lighting for improved visibility
A new water line
Upgraded traffic signals
10 new mid-block flashing light pedestrian crossing beacons (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) to alert drivers that people are crossing the street
Sound walls at select locations.

During the meeting Romero told about the project. She noted that construction will be a “moving type of a situation” – from area to area – over the next about five years. “After it’s been completed, it will be jurisdictionally transferred to the City of Portland,” Romero said.

ODOT’s Shelli Romero fields questions about elements of the construction project.

Questions, and some answers
Centennial neighbors had asked for ODOT to erect signs that briefly explain the project – other than the signs that simply show the project’s funding sources. But, attendees were told no, this wouldn’t happen, due to cost, regulations, and concerns about distracting drivers.

Other neighbors expressed concerns that some trees in the construction right-of-way were stripped of their branches, but left standing. Apparently, the denuded trees are already being removed; and, the contracted arborist will now be instructed to prune trees with greater care.

Asked about tree replanting in the area, ODOT plans to stay with its commitment of installing 112 trees, planted by the City of Portland, at the conclusion of the project – as remediation for the 570 trees removed. Neighbors voiced their disagreement about the timing and quantity of this replanting effort.

ODOT is providing information, both in written form, and online.

So, be ready for flaggers, detours and watch out for construction workers, now through 2029! For updated information, see ODOT’s official project webpage: CLICK HERE.

Project timeline

Here’s our time line, in a sampling of past East Portland News stories:

November 15, 2010: Project to improve outer SE Powell Blvd. inches along | CLICK HERE.
June 20, 2011: Neighbors’ outer Powell Blvd. Plan suggestions adopted – for now | CLICK HERE.
June 5, 2013: ROADS: Powell Boulevard and SE 136th improvements begin | CLICK HERE.
August 16, 2013: Outer SE Powell Blvd. paving project rolls out | CLICK HERE.
March 6, 2015: ‘Outer Powell Safety Project’ creeps forward | CLICK HERE.
August 11, 2015: Glimpse revealed of outer Powell Blvd. upgrade plan | CLICK HERE.
April 6, 2019: Outer Powell Blvd. construction project breaks ground | CLICK HERE.

Keep in touch as we keep following this project.

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