WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, today announced new federal funding to improve one of Portland’s most important, high-crash corridors.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding the City of Portland $9.6 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make essential safety improvements on a seven-mile segment of 82nd Avenue.
“Whether Oregonians are walking, biking, or driving, they deserve safe streets in their neighborhoods to get where they need to go,” said Merkley. “Congressman Blumenauer has been unwavering in his mission to improve 82nd Avenue and the lives of many families and communities of color who call neighborhoods along this busy corridor in Portland home. I will keep working alongside him and the Oregon delegation to deliver federal funding for safety improvement efforts like this that will help reduce crashes and save lives.”
“Portlanders living and working on and around 82nd Avenue must be able to count on safe travel along this major transportation artery,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with the metro delegation led by Congressman Blumenauer has generated these additional federal funds to improve quality of life and traffic safety on Portland’s east side.”
“This is another solid accomplishment for our vision to redefine 82nd Avenue from an eye sore to an icon,” said Blumenauer. “This investment will make it safer and more efficient, and unlock development opportunities while improving wealth for the surrounding community. It is a remarkable success already, and a testament to our strategy of relentlessly looking for opportunities that propel our city forward. Money well spent.”
“Making 82nd Avenue safer will save lives, improve accessibility, and strengthen the surrounding community,” said Bonamici.“I’m grateful for this sizeable investment to improve a dangerous corridor, making it more workable for all users, including pedestrians. Rep. Blumenauer’s dedication to the people who live in this area has been instrumental in our efforts to secure this funding.”
82nd Avenue on Portland’s east side is a complex corridor that features two motor vehicle travel lanes in each direction, a two-way left-turn lane, a high number of driveways, narrow sidewalks, and a design that generally encourages high speeds, especially at night. In 2017-2021, most deaths in the seven-mile project area within city limits happened when pedestrians and bicyclists crossed at unsignalized intersections or mid-block locations.
The City of Portland will use the $9.6 million federal investment – from DOT’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program – to close critical crossing gaps, deploy proven tools to address high-crash locations, and improve safety and equity. Pieces of the project include installing raised center medians, a pedestrian signal, full traffic signals, “no turn on red” signage at major traffic signal intersections, and updating signal timing, as well as funding a safety education and marketing campaign. Additionally, funding will be used for supplemental planning such as conducting road safety audits and a systemwide analysis. This will further develop roadway design alternatives and safety action plans for additional multi-lane high-crash-network streets.
“We are grateful to the Biden Administration and our Congressional delegation for these investments towards a safer system for everyone traveling in Portland,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “This Safe Streets for All grant affirms Portland’s sustained commitment to Vision Zero and will help us continue our work to eliminate traffic deaths. The grant will allow us to improve pedestrian crossings and add other safety elements on 82nd Avenue, as well as investigate safety needs on other important civic corridors in the city. We’re particularly thankful to Rep. Blumenauer for his steadfast support of safety improvements for 82nd Avenue and neighborhoods throughout Portland. His commitment to delivering safety on our streets for everyone traveling has been unwavering. I look forward to walking a safer 82nd Avenue with him in the years to come.”
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