(June 25, 2020) Construction has begun on the SE 136th Paving and Sidewalks to Opportunity Project. The project will transform SE 136th Avenue between SE Division and SE Foster into a 1.8 mile complete street by repaving the street, building continuous sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, better access to transit stops, protected bike lanes, stormwater improvements, new street trees, and upgraded traffic signals and street lighting.
This project will repave SE 136th Avenue between SE Division Street and SE Foster Road and improve access for Powell Butte Nature Park, Gilbert Hydro Park, Gilbert Primary Park, Leach Botanical Garden, Zenger Farm, Lincoln City Park, Lincoln Park Elementary School, Gilbert Heights City Park, Kingsley D. Bundy Park, and Gilbert Heights Elementary School. SE 136th is served by TriMet bus lines 17 & 10. New improvements to street crossings will help everyone access the bus more safely.
PBOT’s delivery of projects in East Portland is a continuation of the bureau’s commitment to transportation justice and equity. PBOT continues to prioritize funding and delivery of infrastructure in marginalized areas. The neighborhoods along SE 136th Avenue are 45% non-white, one of the highest percentages of non-white populations in the city.
In addition to building new infrastructure, this project will sustain approximately 100 private sector jobs for a calendar year. The prime contractor, Kodiak Pacific, is a woman-owned firm based in Sherwood, Oregon. This project will have 11 subcontractors to perform tasks such as paint striping, installing traffic signs, flagging traffic, and pouring concrete. Seven of the 11 subcontracting firms are certified by the state under the categories of disadvantaged, minority-owned, women-owned, emerging small businesses, or service-disabled veterans’ business enterprises (D/M/W/ESB/SDVBE). Out of the total contract, 33% of work will go to these certified firms.
Construction is expected to occur between Summer 2020 through Summer 2021, with utility work and paving of the Division-to-Powell segment occurring this summer, followed by vegetation removal, grading, paving and pouring of new sidewalks south of Powell through the fall and winter. Tree planting, striping, signals, streetlighting, electrical work, and protected bike lanes will occur in spring and summer 2021.
Construction is scheduled to last approximately one year (until Summer 2021) with work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Given the scope and scale of this project, there will be noticeable impacts to the community during construction. Crews may need to close one vehicle travel lane at times and control traffic through flagging in order to install sidewalks or repave the street. City policy requires contractors to install space for people walking when existing sidewalks are closed.
SE 136th Avenue is a major emergency response route. PBOT is in close communication with all our subcontracting firms as well as public safety agencies to allow emergency vehicle use of the route at all times.
SE 136th Paving and Sidewalks to Opportunity project is possible thanks to $4 million in funding from the Fixing Our Streets program. Funding is also being provided by $2.7 million in transportation system development charges.
Given the size, length, and duration of this project, PBOT will provide monthly construction updates to residents via email. To sign up for updates, please visit the project website: www.portland.gov/transportation/136th.
Special note regarding Covid-19 and construction work
PBOT has been in modified operations since March 17 and has implemented specific measures to ensure the safety of our crews and contractors. This includes modified shifts, social distancing, and other precautions based on current guidelines from local, state, and federal health officials. Thank you for giving our crews and contractors the space and time they need to keep our city moving.
