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Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project - In Construction

Construction Phase

Region 1: Portland metro and Hood River County (Portland, Multnomah)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ODOT is constructing safety improvements on outer SE Powell Boulevard from I-205 to SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue (the Portland/Gresham city limits). 

Impacts

Traffic Impact

Pre-Construction Activity Begins August 2022!

Work along the project corridor will begin with utility relocations, which includes moving existing utility poles to make room for the roadway improvements. Early relocation work will ensure services such as power and communications are in place prior to roadway construction. This work will occur between August 2022 and February 2023. 

The design team completed a review of driveways along the project and contacted all property owners where driveways need to be altered or closed to improve access and safety. If you have not been contacted by ODOT at this point, there will be no changes to your driveway width or location, other than slight possible modifications to align it with the new sidewalk curb.  ​

Is tree removal required to build the project?

In some areas tree trimming or tree removal is needed in order to build the new safety improvements. ODOT takes tree removal very seriously and tries to avoid removing trees wherever possible. New trees will be planted throughout the corridor following roadway construction. To learn more about the tree removal process, see information in the FAQ.


Meetings and Events

​ ​Past Meetings:

​The project team hosted a public meeting on September 22, 2021 to present information about potential sound walls. You can review the meeting presentation here.​

​The project team developed an online open house from September 23 to October 18 to present information about the recently completed construction and the design plans for Phase 2.  While the online open house is now closed, you can still access the information and learn more here.

Schedule

​Road construction begins in spring 2023 and will last four years. The project website will be continuously updated with current project information including schedule, progress and traffic impacts. ​The constructed improvements will be consistent with the completed section between SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue.

Details

About

​ODOT is constructing safety improvements on outer southeast Powell Boulevard from I-205 to SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue (the Portland/Gresham city limits). This is the second phase of the project. The first phase, from SE 122nd Avenue to SE 136th Avenue, is complete.​

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 cross section showing the new bike lanes, sidewalk and center turn lane that will be built in the Outer Powell projec​ 

Sound Walls

Along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the project team analyzed potential noise impacts related to the project. The road changes will result in a slight noise increase, impacting some property owners and residents close to the road.​

Sound walls are the most common tool used to mitigate that noise. We have identified potential sound walls that provide the required benefits and meet ODOT and FHWA standards.

A vote among eligible property owners and tenants determined whether or not to construct these sound walls. 

Sound Walls Voting Results

In October 2021, eligible property owners and residents voted on four proposed sound wall locations. Voters supported all four of the sound wall locations that are now included in the project. Learn more about sound walls here: Sound Wall Fact Sheet 

Sound Wall Image.jpg

Location

U.S. 26 | SE Powell Boulevard (US 26) from I-205 to SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue (the Portland/Gresham city limits).

Cost and Funding

The current estimate for total project cost for design, right-of-way and construction is $105 million.​

Benefits

SE Powell Boulevard is an important connector to the central city for those living in outer East Portland. The corridor is also one of Portland's top 30 high crash streets. This project will construct major improvements across the SE Powell Boulevard corridor from I-205 to the Portland/Gresham city limits that will help improve safety for all users, and reduce the number and severity of crashes in the area.

Additional Information

​For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

Si desea obtener información sobre este proyecto traducida al español, sírvase llamar al 503-731-4128.

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如果您想了解这个项目翻译成 简体中文 的相关信息，请致电 503-731-4128.

이 프로젝트에 관한 한국어로 된 자료 신청방법 전화: 503-731-4128.

Nếu quý vị muốn thông tin về dự án này được dịch sang tiếng Việt, xin gọi 503-731-4128.​

Contacts & Media

Outer Powell project logo

Videos


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Project Contact

Community Affairs Coordinator
Dee Hidalgo
Email
dee.hidalgo@ODOT.oregon.gov
Phone
503-731-8230

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Last Updated

7/29/2022 3:12 PM

Project Number

21178