News Release: Construction begins next week on the SW Broadway Bike Improvements project, interim improvements on SW Main Street 

Press Release
The project will complete a comfortable, safe southbound bicycle connection from the Broadway Bridge to I-405. 
Construction will continue through September and include intermittent lane closures, parking restrictions and traffic delays. 
Published
The Portland Bureau of Transportation will soon extend this protected bike lane design currently on NW Broadway further south from SW Oak to Clay streets. This Central City in Motion project completes the final gap in the southbound protected bike lane on Broadway from the Broadway Bridge to Portland State University.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation will extend this protected bike lane design currently on NW Broadway further south from SW Oak to Clay streets. Photo by PBOT.

(August 11, 2022) - Construction begins Wednesday, Aug. 17 on the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) SW Broadway Bike Improvements project, a key Central City in Motion project that will complete a comfortable, safe southbound bicycle connection through the heart of downtown from the Broadway Bridge to I-405. 

The SW Broadway Bicycle Improvements project will bring a host of improvements to the popular downtown high-crash corridor and make it safer for all travelers. The bike lane on SW Broadway from SW Oak to Clay streets will be upgraded and moved against the curb, completing the final segment in the southbound protected bike lane on Broadway from the Broadway Bridge to Portland State University.  

As part of this work, contractors working for PBOT will also implement a full-time closure of SW Main Street at SW Broadway to create an outdoor public space for events and programming for Portland’5, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and Antoinette Hatfield Hall. PBOT’s contractors will stripe related interim improvements on SW Main Street, connecting to SW Broadway and Portland’5. The interim striping on SW Main Street will extend bicycle facilities from SW Third Avenue to Broadway, closing another gap in Portland’s bike network, and improving access to Portland State University, Portland City Hall, and the South Park Blocks. The work on SW Main Street will support the return of the Thompson Elk Fountain and related streetscape improvements currently under exploration by the Portland Parks Foundation. 

When complete, the SW Broadway Bike Improvements project and the related work on SW Main Street will welcome Portlanders and visitors alike back to downtown Portland, be it for a concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, a class at PSU, or a bike ride to the Portland Farmers Market.  

“The downtown Broadway corridor has long been a symbol of our city, from Pioneer Courthouse Square to the beloved Schnitzer Concert Hall marquee, historic hotels and the epicenter of higher education at Portland State University,” said Transportation Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. “The transportation improvements will connect Portlanders and welcome visitors from around the world to these beloved landmarks while highlighting our city’s commitment to safer and more climate-friendly transportation.” 

“We are thrilled to extend our use of SW Main Street for programming for the region’s people and visitors, said Robyn Williams, Portland'5 executive director. “Activating the street by bringing performances outside of our theaters and in to the open will be a key component for making downtown feel more welcoming to all.” 

“The Portland Parks Foundation (PFF) is pleased to lead an independent study of exactly what it will take to restore the Thompson Elk Fountain,” said Randy Gragg, executive director of PPF. “We are glad to work in partnership with PBOT to ensure SW Main Street supports safe public access to a faithfully restored fountain while balancing today’s transportation needs.” 

A map of the SW Broadway and SW Main Street construction extents. 2022 project construction will take place on SW Broadway from SW Oak to Clay streets and on SW Main Street from SW Broadway to SW Second Avenue, shown in dark blue. Previously completed projects are shown in light blue on SW Broadway from the Broadway Bridge to SW Oak Street and from SW Clay Street south to I-405.
A map of the SW Broadway and SW Main Street construction extents.

In addition to the protected bikeway, the SW Broadway Bicycle Improvements project will make signal modifications at select intersections to improve safety for pedestrians and people biking, and reduce conflicts for people driving. High-visibility crosswalks will also be installed at signalized intersections throughout the corridor, further improving pedestrian safety. The project budget is $750,000, provided by Metro’s Regional Flexible Fund.

The project will result in parking and loading zone adjustments. To view a detailed map of parking adjustments, visit portland.gov/swbroadway

SW Main Street Project 

An illustration of the new striping plan on SW Main between SW Third and Fourth Streets with a bike lane on the north side of the Elk and a single motor-vehicle lane on the south side.
An illustration of the new striping plan on SW Main between SW Third and Fourth Streets with a bike lane on the north side of the Elk and a single motor-vehicle lane on the south side.

This interim striping project will close a gap in Portland’s downtown bike network on SW Main Street, a key westbound connection for people bicycling across the Hawthorne Bridge. 

Dedicated bike facilities on SW Main Street currently drop at SW Third Avenue as the street curves around the home of the Thompson Elk Fountain.

PBOT’s contractor will extend the westbound bike connection by striping a dedicated bike lane between SW Third and Fourth avenues in the lane north of the fountain base, and then continuing the facility by striping a shared bus and bike lane between SW Fourth and Sixth, and finally transitioning back to a dedicated bike lane where SW Main Street meets SW Broadway.

The new roadway striping on SW Main Street will be implemented with paint and temporary materials designed to support and set the stage for the return of the Thompson Elk Fountain. The Portland Parks Foundation is taking the lead on a Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Study with the goal of returning the Thompson Elk Fountain to SW Main Street. While the design and estimated cost for the Thompson Elk Fountain’s construction is still in development, PBOT is partnering in PPF’s effort, which is anticipated to recommend more permanent streetscape improvements to SW Main Street between Third and Fourth Avenue.

Construction Impacts 

SW Broadway and SW Main Street projects will be in construction beginning Wednesday, Aug. 17. Construction is anticipated to last through September. 

The traveling public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. We ask the public to travel slowly and cautiously in work zones, observe all detours and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. 

Expect dust, noise, vibrations, and heavy equipment near work zones.  As always, please keep crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while travelling through or near work zones.  

Parking will be restricted 1 to 2 days before crews begin construction.  

At least one lane of vehicle traffic will be maintained during construction. Pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained.  

People riding transit should visit trimet.org/#alerts/ for the latest service impacts.  

This work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change. 

PBOT will provide periodic updates throughout construction. To sign up for construction updates, visit portland.gov/swbroadway

Thank you for your cooperation and patience while we complete this work.