News Release: PBOT Begins Work on 82nd Avenue Critical Fixes

Press Release

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began its multi-year effort to bring urgent safety and maintenance repairs to 82nd Avenue with the installation of new speed reader boards and traffic signal controllers on the 7-mile corridor.

Newly installed speed reader signs encourage drivers to slow down as they approach McDaniel High School, in both directions, on NE 82nd Avenue. Photo by PBOT.

(Jan. 30, 2023) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began its multi-year effort to bring urgent safety and maintenance repairs to 82nd Avenue with the installation of new speed reader boards and traffic signal controllers on the 7-mile corridor. These initial investments come just six months after the ownership of the corridor transferred from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to PBOT and are informed by a decade of community planning and advocacy.

A PBOT signals electrician reaches into a signal cabinet on 82nd Avenue to install a new traffic signal controller.

The speed reader boards alert drivers to "Slow Down" while providing real-time feedback on how fast they're driving. PBOT deployed one speed reader sign north and south of McDaniel High School, just as people are approaching the school.

More safety improvements are expected as PBOT begins its work on the Critical Fixes: Signal Timing Improvements Project. The installation of new traffic signal controllers replaces the 20-year-old "brains of the intersections." The newly-installed signals provide a major upgrade and bring PBOT's signal technology up to modern standards. The new Advanced Transportation Controllers allow PBOT to interconnect its signal timing adjustments and high-speed fiber optic communications. With this technology in place, PBOT will make efforts to reduce opportunities for drivers to speed through multiple signals. Additionally, PBOT will remotely monitor performance in real-time and shorten overall wait time for all road users at traffic signals.

In total, PBOT expects this technology to be installed at 18 intersections on 82nd Avenue, with the majority of the installations occurring later this week.

PBOT will implement pedestrian head start at several locations throughout the corridor. Thanks to the new traffic signal equipment, pedestrians crossing 82nd Avenue will be given a walk signal several seconds before vehicles are given a green light.

This new equipment will enable PBOT to implement pedestrian head start signals at several locations throughout the corridor. A pedestrian head start is a signal timing strategy that improves the safety and visibility of pedestrians by giving pedestrians a walk signal several seconds before vehicles are given a green light.

As part of 82nd Avenue Critical Fixes, PBOT will improve safety for those moving along and across the corridor. Over the next several years, PBOT and ODOT will add a total of 17 new or upgraded crossings of 82nd Avenue to improve safety and fill many of the existing crossing gaps. As these 17 new crossings are installed, PBOT will update its traffic signal system to prioritize safety for all road users. Visit the Critical Fixes website for a full list of planned crossing and traffic signal locations.

PBOT's safety improvements to 82nd Avenue come after years of community engagement. Watch the video below, and hear from McDaniel High students on how necessary critical safety improvements are to the corridor.

Community voices call for Building a Better 82nd Avenue

82nd Avenue Critical Fixes

PBOT is delivering Critical Fixes projects between 2023 and 2026 as part of the first stage of investments on 82nd Avenue. These investments will deliver basic safety and maintenance repairs to the corridor, including crossings, lighting, safety upgrades at intersections, and sidewalk improvements.

This year, 82nd Avenue Critical Fixes projects will begin construction on a number of important improvements, including:

• Spring 2023 - PBOT will begin corridor-wide signal technology upgrades, operations, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. PBOT will improve signal timing and begin to implement safe speeds. PBOT will also upgrade signage and striping along the corridor.
• Summer 2023 - PBOT will begin construction on six new signalized pedestrian crossings and street lighting improvements throughout the corridor.

In addition, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will begin work on a paving project, partially within the City of Portland limits, in Fall 2023.

ODOT makesimprovements to 82nd Avenue as corridor is transferred to PBOT

ODOT made a series of improvements to 82nd Avenue as the agency fulfils its final commitments along the corridor. Work included constructing four corner curb ramps near McDaniel High School, as well as curb improvements to two sections of 82nd Avenue near SE Reedway Street.

ODOT installed new streetlights in several spots near McDaniel High, both along 82nd Avenue and to the west side of the school. ODOT installed two rapid flashing beacons across 82nd Avenue, allowing people crossing the corridor to push a button that alerts drivers to slow down and yield to people using the crosswalk.