Portland drivers should be aware that major safety improvements are scheduled for NE Marine Drive, which may cause traffic delays. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has announced that from next Tuesday through early March, crews will be installing reflective metal roadside delineators to help reduce crashes on this section of the road.
The construction work will take place between NE 33rd and 185th avenues, causing lane closures where the road typically allows two lanes of traffic. This will narrow down to one single lane, about 300 feet at a time, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers will be directing alternating traffic through this narrowed zone, with potential delays for those journeying east or west on Marine Drive.
NE Marine Drive is located atop a levee and is known for having a high number of crashes. Between 2017 and 2021, 16 fatalities occurred along this stretch, making it one of the most hazardous corridors in Portland during that time. The road features long, uninterrupted stretches with no intersections or traffic signals, and its wide-open spaces can lead to higher speeds. This combination has contributed to a significant number of vehicles veering off the road, where narrow shoulders and steep drop-offs pose the risk of serious accidents, including potential falls into the Columbia River or surrounding land.
The new delineators are designed to help drivers better see the edge of the roadway, which is particularly important on the wide stretches of NE Marine Drive. PBOT highlights their potential to improve safety along this section of the road, especially where "there are wide open spaces and few buildings or other structures to call attention to the roadway width," as stated in the PBOT announcement. The need for these improvements is significant. In 2023, three of the five traffic fatalities on Marine Drive occurred in the area where these upgrades are planned.
The work is expected to take five to six weeks, though the schedule may be adjusted depending on weather conditions. Drivers are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible. Signs in the area will direct drivers to other roads, but local access to residences and businesses will be maintained throughout the construction.
