Residents of Portland prepare for a slight shift in their nighttime commute as the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) continues to advance with the SW Fourth Avenue Improvement project. The next paving phase, expected to start on the evening of June 13, has been rescheduled to accommodate additional roadway striping work. SW Fourth Avenue, from Market to Clay streets, will now undergo a full closure starting at 9 p.m., but instead of paving, crews will focus on striping the intersection of SW 4th and Lincoln until completion early Saturday morning.
According to the official advisory from PBOT, the postponed paving work will be initiated later during the weekend. Commuters should note that from 9:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Sunday, the section between Harrison and Clay will be off-limits for vehicles. The bureau has suggested alternative routes to aid drivers in navigating the area without significant disruption. Meanwhile, locals might anticipate some noise, as the necessary work is set to continue overnight.
There’s an upcoming active construction warning for travelers near the intersection of SW Fourth Avenue and West Burnside Street. Here, improvements will include upgrading corner ramps to modern accessibility standards and laying the groundwork for updated traffic signals. PBOT advises that residents and businesses might experience loud sawcutting and demolition during these stages of the project.
This effort is part of a grander scheme to enhance SW Fourth Avenue up to West Burnside Street, replacing old corner ramps with new ADA-compliant ones. The full paving project is anticipated to be wrapped up by the end of 2025, as per the Portland Bureau of Transportation. During the construction, specific detours will be in place for northbound and eastbound traffic, including reroutes to SW Naito Parkway and SW Fifth Avenue to assist travelers in circling the affected areas.
