To tackle the dangers of a high crash corridor, Portland’s NE 122nd Ave is set to receive a much-needed safety upgrade in four enhanced pedestrian crossings. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is designing the crossings after a funding boost from a federal grant, according to the City of Portland, Oregon. The crossings are a part of PBOT's comprehensive 122nd Avenue corridor plan and are designed to shorten the long stretches between safe pedestrian crossings.
This improvement comes after the Portland City Council decided to accept $6.4 million from Metro's Regional Flexible Funding Allocation (RFFA) program. The new-fashioned crossings aim to enhance pedestrian access and safety along one of Portland's busiest avenues. With the design phase initiated as of February 2024, public review and commentary are expected to play a crucial role once preliminary designs are rolled out.
Selected locations for the crossings are based on prior public feedback and analysis by PBOT staff, as delineated in the 122nd Avenue corridor plan. They will be situated at or near NE Beech Street, NE Russell Street – which will see an upgrade – along with NE Broadway Street and NE Multnomah Street. Each crossing will feature high-visibility crosswalk markings, street lighting, and ADA-compliant curb ramps. Moreover, they will be equipped with safety signals like Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), medians, Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, or half signals for improved visibility and safety.
