More Safety Improvements are Coming to Outer Powell
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is designing and constructing improvements to help people get around busy Outer SE Powell Boulevard more safely. The Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project stretches between I-205 and Portland/Gresham city limits, just east of SE 174th Avenue. These safety improvements will reduce the frequency and severity of crashes and help vehicles, pedestrians, transit and bicyclists share the road with fewer conflicts.
Roadway, bike and pedestrian safety improvements include:
- Sidewalks where there are none now
- Mix of separated and sidewalk level bike lanes
- Center turn lanes for cars, buses and trucks for safer turns and to reduce back-ups
- Storm drains to prevent water from pooling on the road
- Lighting for improved visibility
- Enhanced pedestrian crossings with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons to alert drivers that people are crossing the street
An example of what the majority of the road will look like when complete. It will vary throughout the project area depending on the needs and constraints.Project Timeline
Construction began on SE Powell Boulevard from SE 122nd Avenue to SE 136th Avenue in early 2019 and is nearly complete. The final touches including landscape plantings will conclude in spring 2021.
ODOT is now designing safety improvements for the remainder of the corridor to be consistent with the section recently constructed. This design work began in fall 2019 and is anticipated to complete in fall 2022, with construction to follow.
Project Phases
Phase 2 – In Design
ODOT is now designing improvements for the remainder of the corridor, from I-205 to SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue (the Portland/Gresham city limits).
Project Background
The Outer Powell Transportation Project was developed with a history of community collaboration and support. Since 2014, ODOT has been conducting planning, environmental and design work for the four-mile stretch of SE Powell Boulevard from I-205 to the Portland/Gresham city limits just east of SE 174th Avenue. In fall 2015, the Oregon Legislature funded the design and construction of the section along Powell Boulevard between SE 122nd and SE 136th Avenues, which is now under construction.
Through Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017), the Oregon Legislature appropriated funds to complete design, right-of-way, and construction on the remaining sections of the Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project. With this funding, ODOT is now designing improvements to these other sections of Outer Powell. Design will be consistent with the section currently in construction.
The design phase for the additional project sections began in fall 2019 and we expect it to be complete in December 2022. Construction will begin as early as 2023.
Future Jurisdictional Transfer
Currently, ODOT owns and maintains SE Powell Boulevard from SE 99th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue. As prescribed in Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017), ownership and operation of this road will be transferred to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). The transfer is expected after construction is complete.
Project Library