Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Project-Details







U.S. 26 (SE Powell Boulevard) and SE 36th Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project

Construction Phase

Region 1: Portland metro and Hood River County (Portland, Multnomah)


​​​We are improving safety for people walking, biking or rolling by upgrading the currently unsignalized crosswalk on U.S. 26 (SE Powell Boulevard) and SE 36th Avenue with a new pedestrian-activated beacon known as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, or RRFB.


Impacts

Traffic Impact

When work begins, travelers should expect:

  • Daytime and nighttime single lane closures and temporary side street closures. 
  • Occasional multiple lane closures under flagger control at night. 
  • Work will also require temporary sidewalk and crosswalk closures. 
  • Sidewalk closures will have signed, temporary pedestrian alternate routes around the work zone. 
  • Bicyclists will see Bikes on Roadway signs and will continue to use city streets during construction. 
  • Expect temporary traffic delays in the area during construction.

Construction Impacts

Night Work

To minimize traffic impacts during the day, some night work may be required.  During construction, people who live or work near the project area may hear periodic construction noise from heavy equipment, construction trucks, beeping noise when vehicles are in reverse (required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and equipment such as concrete saws, drills and jackhammers, air compressors and generators. 

Nighttime Noise Hotline: For concerns about nighttime noise during construction contact the noise hotline at 503-276-7815.

Schedule

​The project is in the design phase through summer 2024. Construction is expected to begin late 2024/early 2025 and last through fall 2025. 

The project schedule is subject to change. 

Details

About

We are improving safety for people walking, biking or rolling at the existing, striped crosswalk east of the intersection of U.S. 26 (SE Powell Boulevard) and SE 36th Avenue. 

We will upgrade the currently unsignalized crosswalk on SE Powell Boulevard at SE 36th Avenue with a new pedestrian activated beacon, also known as a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, or RRFB. The currently unsignalized crosswalk is located on SE Powell Boulevard along a busy, 30 mile-per-hour corridor at SE 36th Avenue. The nearest signalized intersection and pedestrian-activated crossing are located ¼ mile away. The corridor serves TriMet bus #9 and is one of the most utilized transit lines in the region. 

Additional related work includes new lighting, high visibility striping on SE Powell Boulevard at the new crossing and upgrading two, existing sidewalk curb ramps on the north and south ends of the new RRFB to meet ADA requirements. When the project is complete, left turns will be permanently restricted for vehicles turning from southbound 36th Avenue onto SE Powell Boulevard. Restricting left turns onto SE Powell Boulevard increases safety by protecting people crossing the new crosswalk.

Project area map graphic.
About Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons​, known as pedestrian activated beacons or RRFBs, use flashing yellow lights to alert drivers that someone is crossing the street. Pedestrians activate the flashing beacons with the press of a button. When not in use, the flashing beacons are dark. 

We install RRFBs at specific crossings with high pedestrian and vehicle traffic because they can reduce crashes by as much as 47 percent, according to the Federal Highway Administration. RRFBs are a critical part of our efforts to maintain a modern and safe transportation system. 
Example photo of an upgraded crosswalk with a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, or RRFB.
Pictured above: example of a completed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossing, creating a safer and more visibile pedestrian crossing along a busy corridor.

Other Projects in the Area

In 2019, we completed a safety improvement project which included installing three new enhanced RRFBs on SE Powell Boulevard at SE 24th, 31st and 34th avenues. Additional ODOT and partner agency project investments continue along Powell Boulevard. Please visit the project website​ for more information about other projects occurring along the corridor.

Location

U.S. 26 |

U.S. 26 (SE Powell Boulevard) at SE 36th Avenue.

Cost and Funding

$1,582,694.00

Contractor

Brown Contracting, Inc.

Benefits

Improved Safety on Powell Boulevard and SE 36th Avenue

  • RRFBs reduce crashes between vehicles and pedestrians by creating more visibility at pedestrian crossings and increasing driver awareness of a person crossing the road.
  • A new enhanced pedestrian crossing at the busy intersection of SE 36th Avenue makes it safer for people to cross SE Powell Boulevard and connect their neighborhoods to nearby destinations such as bus stops, schools, churches, restaurants, local businesses and local parks.
  • ​Upgraded ADA accessible sidewalk curb ramps at the new RRFB crossing creates safer and more accessible highway connections for everyone.

What Problem Will This Improve?

​The currently unsignalized crosswalk is located on SE Powell Boulevard along a busy, 30 mile-per-hour corridor at SE 36th Avenue. The nearest signalized intersection and pedestrian-activated crossing are located ¼ mile away. The corridor serves TriMet bus #9 and is one of the most utilized transit lines in the region. ​

Additional Information

​For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

¿Habla usted español? Podemos proveer la información en esta publicación en español. Para recibir la información en español, por favor llamé al (503) 731-4128.

Contacts & Media

Project Contacts

Community Affairs Coordinator
Dee Hidalgo
Email
dee.hidalgo@ODOT.oregon.gov
Phone
503-731-8230

Public Affairs Specialist
Ryan McCrary
Email
ryan.mccrary@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
503-083-5506
Project Hotline
Nighttime Noise Hotline: 503-276-7815
Project Accommodation Request
503-731-4128

Last Updated

12/3/2024 11:52 AM

Project Number

22551