SE Division Median Island Planned at 77th

As residents begin moving into the recently completed Legin Commons apartments, road crews prepare to add an enhanced pedestrian crossing at the adjacent intersection of SE Division Street and SE 77th Avenue. Contractors working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will construct new curb ramps at the northwest and southwest corners, leading to a new concrete median island placed along a painted, high-visibility crosswalk. This work follows the recent completion of a similar upgrade at 64th Avenue. Both TriMet-designed safety improvements are part of the SE Division Street Crossing Enhancements project supported by Fixing Our Streets funds. These crossings were originally slated for reconstruction during planning stages of the FX-2 Division transit upgrade but were cut due to station relocation. PBOT is using Safer Streets Projects category money to implement the designs to help people cross the busy street and provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant infrastructure in key locations along Portland's pedestrian and bicycle network. This intersection is a connection point in the 70s Neighborhood Greenway. PBOT says these improvements will bring the western crossing up to current standards and improve visibility of people walking and biking through the intersection, addressing deficiencies identified by citywide pedestrian and bicycle plans. Construction of this safer crossing at SE 77th Avenue is particularly useful now that 124 individuals and families will soon call the new affordable housing development home and start crossing SE Division frequently. Intersection design graphic courtesy PBOT The in-street infrastructure protects pedestrian crossings with a concrete median island created by a curb-height pad in the center turn lane. A roadway-level cutout in the concrete at the crosswalk intersection offers a mid-crossing refuge for people rolling or walking across the street. These waypoints allow pedestrians to cross in two phases, focusing on one direction of traffic at a time, and help drivers better see a person waiting at the high-visibility infrastructure. Drivers will not lose any turning ability at this intersection. However, east-traveling vehicles waiting to turn north will remain in the travel lane until it is clear to proceed. The project scope also calls for one new streetlight on a wood utility pole to improve nighttime visibility. Crews have added painted markings on the street to indicate where the new median island will sit and the shape of the reconstructed sidewalk corners. A PBOT letter to residents indicated that project leaders planned to begin construction here this summer, but work is weather-dependent and could be delayed. Article and photos by Jacob Loeb Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Catalyst Construction & Kitchen Remodeling, a top-rated general contractor specializing in kitchen, bathroom, basement, and garage remodeling, as well as ADU construction and home additions. We thank them for their support. Like this: Like Loading…