Starting tomorrow, crews will add green paint and other traffic markings to help people use new passenger loading platforms at entrances to three downtown hotels. The finished platforms will look like the previously completed passenger zone seen in this photo at the front of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, at the SW Broadway intersection with Main Street. Photo by Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).
(May 15, 2024) Construction begins Thursday, May 16, to add paint and markings to three passenger loading platforms built earlier this year at the entrance to three busy downtown hotels. The work is part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) SW Broadway Bike Improvements project. This key Central City in Motion project provides a comfortable, safe southbound bicycle connection through the heart of downtown from the Broadway Bridge to I-405.
Contractors working for PBOT will add green paint and other traffic markings to help people use the platforms. The finished platforms will look like the previously completed passenger zone in front of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at the intersection with SE Main Street.
New pavement markings will be installed at three platforms located at the entrances to the following hotels:
- The Benson Portland, between Oak and Harvey Milk streets.
- Heathman Hotel, between Salmon and Main streets.
- Hotel Vance, between Columbia and Clay streets.
The platforms provide safe places for passengers to load and unload while also delineating a clear green lane for people bicycling. Cyclists remain separated from moving vehicles throughout the area.
People bicycling climb a ramp up to sidewalk level and ramp down to the street level at the other side of the platform. Signs and pavement markings require people bicycling to yield to pedestrians who are crossing the bike lane.
Yield signs help reduce bike - pedestrian conflict at the busy loading platforms. Striping this week will add visibility to the crossings. Photo by PBOT.
Related Construction on SW Broadway at Taylor and Jefferson streets
Contractors working for PBOT will also be working at the intersections of SW Broadway and Jefferson and SW Broadway and Taylor next week as part of a traffic signal upgrade. This work will include saw cutting of the ADA corner ramps at both intersections. Learn more about these related improvements.
Construction Impacts
The SW Broadway passenger loading zones will be in construction Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17. During construction, people biking will be routed through a temporary signed and separated bike lane adjacent to the work zone.
The traveling public is advised to expect delays. 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.
The public can expect to see construction equipment near the work zone.
As always, please keep crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while travelling through or near work zones. Parking near the work zone will be restricted during construction. Vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained.
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.
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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. www.portland.gov/transportation