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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 Activities

Work along the project corridor begins with utility relocations, tree trimming, selective building demolition and sign removal to make room for roadway improvements. This pre-construction work started in December 2022

Early utility relocation work will ensure services such as power and communications are in place prior to roadway construction starting in late spring 2023.

Selective b​​uilding demolition and sign removal will occur a​t these locations:

  • Smoker’s Zone Building at 15400 SE Powell Blvd.
  • Exodus Building at 16211 SE Powell Blvd.
  • Drive-in Movie Sign at SE 108th Ave and SE Powell Blvd.
  • Shell Station Sign at SE 164th Ave and SE Powell Blvd.

Daytime utility work occurs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and nighttime work occurs from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Selective building demolition and sign removals occur Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Travelers should expect short delays in the area during pre-construction activities. For the most up-to-date traffic impacts during construction please visit www.TripCheck.com.​ ​

Schedule is subject to change based on weather and site conditions.​

A map of the project area on SE Powell Boulevard. 

A map of the project area on SE Powell Boulevard.

Pre-Construction Impacts

This work will include periodic travel lanes, bike lanes, shoulder, sidewalk closures with detours and temporary pedestrian access routes.  

Noise Impacts

Those working or living in the area may hear noise from heavy equipment, construction trucks, beeping noises when vehicles are in reverse and other equipment related to pre-construction work.

Noise Hotline: 503.276.7803. This hotline is available to help resolve any ODOT noise-related concerns 24 hours a day.​  

Is tree removal required to build the project?

In some areas, tree trimming or removal is needed to build the new safety improvements. ODOT takes tree removal very seriously and avoids removing trees wherever possible. New trees will be planted throughout the corridor following roadway construction. 

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.  ​


Meetings and Events

​Past Events and Meetings:
​The project team hosted informational booths at four local events near the project corridor:
  • Lents International Market – October 9, 2022
  • The Original Gresham Farmers Market – September 24, 2022 & October 22, 2022
  • Sunday Parkways – August 21, 2022​

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

Before construction begins along the corridor, pre-construction activities, such as utility relocation in addition to tree trimming or tree removal, must occur. This work started in December 2022.

​Schedule is subject to change based on weather and site conditions. 

Road construction is anticipated to begin in late spring 2023 and will last five years. The project website will be regularly updated with current project information, including schedule, progress and traffic impacts. ​

Details

About

​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). This is the second phase of the project. The first phase​ of safety improvements, from SE 122nd Avenue to SE 136th Avenue, are complete. 

​The constructed improvements for the second phase of safety improvements will be consistent with the completed section of SE Powell Boulevard between SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue.

Road construction for the second phase, between SE 99th Avenue and SE 122nd Avenue and between SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue (the Portland/Gresham city limits) is anticipated to begin late spring 2023.

​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
  • New waterline in some areas
  • New traffic signals 
  • ​Mid-block flashing light pedestrian crossing beacons (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) to alert drivers that people are crossing the street

An example of how Outer SE Powell Boulevard will look after construction. There may be slight differences in specific locations.​


​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

An example of  how the project sound walls will look after construction. There may be slight differences in specific locations.

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.

Если вы хотите, чтобы информация об этом проекте была переведена на русский язык, пожалуйста, звоните по телефону 503-731-4128.

如果您想瞭解這個項目翻譯成 繁體中文 的相關資訊,請致電 503-731-4128.

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


View on YouTube

Project Contacts

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

Public Information Officer
Don Hamilton
Email
don.hamilton@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
503-731-8265
Project Hotline
Noise Hotline: 503-276-7803

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Last Updated

1/20/2023 4:35 PM

Project Number

21178

Project Documents

Related documents to this project
OPTSP_Factsheet_September_2020_English.pdfSeptember 2020 Factsheet in English.
OPTSP_Factsheet_September_2020_Spanish.pdfSeptember 2020 Factsheet in Spanish.
OPTSP_Factsheet_September_2020_Vietnamese.pdfSeptember 2020 Factsheet in Vietnamese.
OPTSP_Factsheet_September_2020_Chinese.pdfSeptember 2020 Factsheet in Chinese.
OPTSP_Factsheet_September_2020_Russian.pdfSeptember 2020 Factsheet in Russian.
Sound Wall Fact Sheet.pdfSeptember 2021 Sound Wall Factsheet in English.
Outer Powell Rendering 2020.jpgAn example of how Outer SE Powell Boulevard will look after construction. There may be slight differences in specific locations.
2022 Project Timeline Graphic.pngA graphic of the project timeline in English.
July 2022 Newsletter - English.pdfJuly 2022 Newsletter in English.
July 2022 Newsletter - Spanish.pdfJuly 2022 Newsletter in Spanish.
July 2022 Newsletter - Russian.pdfJuly 2022 Newsletter in Russian.
July 2022 Newsletter - Vietnamese.pdfJuly 2022 Newsletter in Vietnamese.
July 2022 Newsletter - Chinese.pdfJuly 2022 Newsletter in Chinese.
October 2022 Pre-Construction Postcard - English.pdfPre-Construction Postcard in English from October 2022.
December 2022 Pre-Construction Postcard - English.pdfPre-Construction Postcard in English from December 2022.
Map of Future Sound Wall Locations.pdfMap of Future Sound Wall Locations.
Frequently Asked Questions.pdfFrequently Asked Questions in English, last updated December 2022.
OP2 Project Briefing Presentation_East Portland CC_021523.pdfFebruary 2023 Presentation to the East Portland Chamber of Commerce