A rendering of E Burnside Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard showing the new street configuration.
(April 6, 2023) Portlanders traveling eastbound on the Burnside Bridge can expect delays tonight to accommodate the removal of the old traffic signal pole at East Burnside and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Contractors working for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will begin work on East Burnside starting at 8 p.m. tonight, April 6 and work through the night to minimize traffic impacts.
Beginning at 8 p.m., all eastbound traffic on East Burnside will be detoured intermittently at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. When possible, contractors will leave one lane of E Burnside open, but at times all travelers, including pedestrians and people driving and biking, will be instructed to turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, left on SE Ankeny Street, left onto SE Grand Avenue, and then right back onto East Burnside. It is expected that East Burnside will fully reopen by 7 a.m. the following morning on Friday, April 7. This work is part of PBOT's East Burnside Bus and Bike Lane Improvements project.
PBOT anticipates at least one additional period of night work and related detours to complete the new signal that has been installed at this intersection.
This Rose Lane Project will improve speed and reliability for bus riders on East Burnside on TriMet bus lines 12, 19, and 20. Between Grand Avenue and 12th Avenue, the new Bus And Turn lane will replace the southernmost motor vehicle travel lane. On the block between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Grand Avenue, curb extensions and car parking are being removed along the south side of East Burnside to create an additional travel lane for the bus.
During the removal of the old traffic signal tonight, the intersection of East Burnside and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be controlled by flaggers. People driving, taking transit, walking or cycling across the bridge eastbound should expect delays. People driving, taking transit (TriMet and Portland Streetcar), or walking southbound on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard should also expect delays. The Burnside Bridge will remain open to people walking and biking on both sides. We ask the public to travel slowly and cautiously in this work zone, observe all directions by flaggers and use alternate routes if possible.
This project is part of Central City in Motion plan adopted by City Council in 2018. These projects are key to Portland's future, allowing PBOT to move more people through the Central City by prioritizing transit and making it safer for people to walk, bike, and roll. Portland is a growing city and by building complete streets that allow reliable movement for all road users our streets are made safer.
People riding transit can 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/transportation/ccim/e-burnside.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience while we complete this work.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the city’s transportation system and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation