Project Description

In 2011-12, ODOT, the City of Portland, TriMet, the National College of Natural Medicine, Portland State Business Accelerator and the South Portland Neighborhood Association partnered on this bicycle and pedestrian safety project with a focus on traffic calming.

The project extends along U.S. 26 (SW Kelly Avenue) from the west end of the Ross Island Bridge to SW 1st Avenue. The project is expected to improve safety and to reduce the overall severity of crashes in the area. 

• Project overview & design drawing handout (PDF)
• Project location map (JPG)
  

Project Elements

1. SW Ross Island Way (U.S. 26 southbound)
Replace the concrete pavement between Arthur Street and the Ross Island Bridge on ramp.

   

2. SW Kelly Avenue at SW Naito Parkway

• Change the existing thru/right turn option lane at the ramp to a thru lane only for Kelly Avenue.
• Change the existing lane striping on the ramp to Naito Parkway to provide one travel lane and a marked bike lane.
• Provide a safer pedestrian crossing across the ramp.

  

3. SW Kelly Avenue at SW Meade Street  

• Turn Meade Street into a cul-de-sac at Kelly Avenue. Drivers will access Meadw Street via Water Street, Arthur Street and Corbett Avenue instead of from Kelly Avenue.
• Install a rapid flash beacon and marked crosswalk on Kelly Avenue just south of Meade Street.
• Provide a pedestrian refuge and restrict left turns from Kelly Avenue southbound by removing the left lane from Meade Street to just south of Corbett Avenue and replacing it with a raised concrete median island.
  

4. SW Kelly Avenue at SW Corbett Avenue

Restrict access to Corbett Avenue from Kelly Avenue for drivers traveling from the Ross Island Bridge. Drivers will access Corbett Avenue via Water and Arthur streets instead.  

 

5. SW Kelly Avenue at SW Porter Street/Hood Avenue  

• Improve pedestrian connectivity and safety at the TriMet bus stop at the intersection by building a new bus pullout, sidewalks and bike lane. The adjusted curb line and new bus pullout will allow buses to merge back into traffic more safely after serving the stop.
• Install a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of Kelly Avenue and Porter Street, which will:
• Restrict vehicles on Porter Street from crossing the ramp from the Ross Island Bridge in order to get to the on-ramp for I-5 southbound.
• Restrict vehicles coming off the Ross Island Bridge from turning left onto Porter Street.
• Install a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection of Kelly Avenue and Hood Avenue (where cars access I-5 southbound from the Ross Island Bridge).
 

6. SW Kelly Avenue at SW Hood Avenue

Construct a new illuminated bicycle/pedestrian path that will connect to the new Gibbs Street pedestrian bridge. 

• Single lane closures during the day and at night
• No lane closures allowed during the morning and afternoon weekday rush hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.)
• No lane closures allowed between noon and 6 p.m. on weekends
• Nighttime full closures of the following ramps (signed detours available):
• SW Ross Island Way (US 26 south) ramp from
• Arthur Street to the Ross Island Bridge eastbound
• Ramp from the Ross Island Bridge westbound onto Kelly Avenue northbound
• Loop ramp from the Ross Island Bridge westbound onto Hood Avenue/I-5 southbound
• Pedestrians will be detoured around construction areas during work hours
• The northbound TriMet bus stop on Kelly Avenue between Corbett Avenue and Porter Street has been temporarily closed during construction. It will reopen in the fall.

Construction Impacts - Nighttime Noise

Some construction activities will occur at night in order to avoid impacting traffic during the day, when traffic volumes are the highest.

Planned Nighttime Construction Activities

• Asphalt grinding 
• Concrete drilling 
• Concrete removal on SW Ross Island Way
• Asphalt and concrete paving

Average noise levels: 58-82 dBA (depending on distance from source)

• Decibel level examples (PDF)

• All equipment will have sound control devices and comply with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Act standards.
• Standard backup alarms will not be allowed between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. (construction crews will use spotters).
• ODOT and the contractor will work with individual residents throughout the project should noise concerns (or any other concerns) arise.

Other Projects In the Area

• Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project (TriMet)