(April 12, 2024) The City of Portland’s crews are out on city streets every day of the year in snow, ice, rain, wind (and the occasional sunny day) working to repair, improve and maintain Portland’s street, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. During the 2024 National Work Zone Awareness Week, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the Portland Water Bureau and the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) remind people to keep their distance from crews at work and slow down when traveling through work zones.
As construction season kicks into high gear, crews will be out in neighborhoods across the city doing indispensable work such as filling potholes, renewing fire hydrants, installing new sewer pipes, restriping roads, fixing leaks, clearing catch basins, building curb ramps and sidewalks, grinding and paving roads, and more.
“No matter the job, no matter the weather, our crews work diligently to serve Portlanders and keep our city moving,” said Transportation Director Millicent Williams. “Our work zones are not just for our employees, but for all people traveling in the area. Please slow down when traveling through work zones for everyone’s safety.”
“Our city maintenance crews repair and maintain essential infrastructure that supports our community every hour of every day. It is important to be aware of their work zones, to ensure the safety of both our workers and the public. When navigating through areas where maintenance work is being conducted, especially near maintenance holes and trenches that may be difficult to see, please exercise caution by reducing speed, adhering to posted signage, and staying alert," said Dawn Uchiyama, Director of Environmental Services.
The majority of people killed in work zone crashes are people driving and their passengers. In 2021, 778 drivers and their passengers died in work zones (based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data), making it all the more important for drivers to slow down and stay focused while approaching and passing through a roadway work zone.
“Our workers take care of our most critical needs—improving our streets and getting water to the tap,” said Water Bureau Director Gabriel Solmer. “Let’s take care of them too. Thanks for showing your gratitude by proceeding with caution through worksites.”
Work zones play a crucial role in separating construction and maintenance activities from traffic. They provide a safe area for workers and a safe route for all road users (people walking, bicycling, rolling, driving, and during this pandemic, customers of businesses who have street-side seating). However, work zones also frequently involve changes in traffic patterns and rights of way. Those changes, combined with the presence of workers, and the frequent movement of work vehicles, may lead to crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Portland and cities across the nation continue to see a rise in fatal traffic crashes that defy historical trends. Through the Vision Zero program, the City of Portland and our partners are working to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets.
To further protect yourself and city workers from death and injury, the bureaus ask Portlanders to follow these safety steps:
- Keep your distance. For the health and safety for everyone, please give our crews the space to complete their work while maintaining proper distance. We understand that as people are spending time at home, they are curious about what we’re doing in their neighborhoods. We have a few videos about the indispensable work that continues through the pandemic. City bureaus also send mailers or door hangers to homes and businesses in an area before major work.
- SLOW DOWN. Speed is a major factor in crashes. If you must drive, follow the construction zone speed limit. Slow down, don’t tailgate. Speed was a contributing factor in more than 31 percent of 2019 fatal work zone crashes nationwide, increasing from 26 percent the year prior.
- Use an alternate route. When you can, avoid streets with posted work zones.
- Obey all speed and warning signs. Work zone signs apply to everyone traveling through – whether the person is walking, biking, rolling or driving. They are there for your safety and will help prevent a collision.
- Be alert and look out for all road users. Put down your phone and pay attention to the road conditions ahead of you. In 2019, 140 pedestrians and bicyclists lost their lives in work zone crashes nationwide. Distracted driving, which includes using your phone, is illegal. Learn more here: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/saf…
- Carefully move over. When possible, give workers more room between them and your vehicle, but do not veer into an oncoming traffic lane.
- Keep your distance. Work zone activity often leads to congestion, delays, and traffic queues. Rear-end crashes are extremely common in work zones – maintain extra space between you and the person in front of you at all times and be alert and watch for sudden stops. In 2019, nearly one quarter of all fatal work zone crashes nationwide involved rear-end collisions
- Stay clear of construction vehicles. Heavy vehicles travel in and out of the work areas and can make sudden moves. We know it’s interesting to see our machines at work, but please keep a safe distance from the work zone if you plan to watch.
- Expect delays and be kind. Our goal is to get you through our work zone safely, while also completing our street improvements in an efficient manner. We appreciate your understanding.
Watch these videos of PBOT and Water Bureau Maintenance Crews keeping the street safe, the water on and sharing why safety around work zones is so important:
PBOT Maintenance Operations staff explain importance of work zone safety
Water Bureau Safety Officer asks everyone to do their part for work zone safety
Find out Environmental Services’ sewer and stormwater repair projects in your area and sign up for updates at www.portland.gov/bes/improvements/find-sewer-and-stormwater-construction-projects.
About National Work Zone Awareness Week
National Work Zone Awareness Week runs from April 15-19, 2024. Work zones play a key role in maintaining and upgrading Portland's roadways, water, and sewer infrastructure and more. Unfortunately, daily changes in traffic patterns, narrowed rights-of-way, and other construction activities often create a combination of factors resulting in crashes, injuries, and even fatalities. These crashes also cause excessive delays, especially given the constrained driving environment.
Recent statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration show that between 2020 and 2021, work zone fatalities increased by 10.8 percent while overall roadway fatalities increased by 10.3 percent.
About PBOT
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.
About the Portland Water Bureau
The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 53 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,200 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. Learn more at portland.gov/water.
About the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Environmental Services - the City of Portland’s sewer and stormwater utility - protects public health and the environment by collecting and recovering resources from the city’s wastewater, managing stormwater, and restoring and protecting Portland’s rivers, streams, and watersheds. Learn more at portland.gov/bes.