Portland's effort to redefine a dangerous corridor took physical shape yesterday as state, city leaders were joined by area residents at the celebratory groundbreaking of the 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance project. According to the City of Portland, the initiative aims to enhance a 2.5-mile frayed strip of 82nd Avenue, notorious for its safety concerns.
The city's Portland Bureau of Transportation started the maintenance constructively, and with winter on the horizon, Portlanders will observe a surge in activity amid the bureau's Building a Better 82nd program. This advent of roadwork means, the public can anticipate periodic lane shutdowns to accommodate underground utility enhancements along 82nd Avenue, and various side streets. Improvements in accessibility are particularly targeted at vital community locales such as McDaniel High School and the Jade District.
Statistics paint a grim picture: between 2012 and 2021, 14 traffic-related deaths, and over 120 serious injuries have marred this portion of Portland's streetscape. According to preliminary reports, an additional four traffic fatalities have been recorded in the last two fiscal years, confirming the street's high-risk status.
The monumental maintenance upgrades slated for the avenue include new pavement spanning myriad sections, and comprehensive reconstructions in some parts, The enhancements also extend to traffic signal and crosswalk enhancements at seven intersections, and over 10,000 linear feet of sidewalk renovations. Notable too, is the improvement of access to TriMet's Line 72, the most-traveled bus route in Oregon.
With a budget of $55 million for the Major Maintenance Project alone, PBOT is deploying more than a significant arsenal of over six scheduled improvement undertakings through 2026. The funding solidity for the project taps into various sources including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Portland Clean Energy Fund, a fiscal coalition that underscores the importance of the street's transformation following its jurisdictional shift to PBOT in 2022.
