Crews were paving SW Fourth Avenue near SW Lincoln Street in April. Work is proceeding from the south, near Portland State University, north to West Burnside, with repaving expected to be finished by the end of the year. Photo by PBOT.
(May 8, 2025) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will begin the third phase of paving on SW Fourth Avenue this Friday, May 9, as part of the SW Fourth Avenue Improvement project. This phase covers SW Fourth between Harrison and Market streets, with work beginning on Friday evening at 5 p.m.
A full closure of SW Fourth Avenue will begin three hours later -- at 8 p.m. -- between Harrison and Market. The street will be reopened by 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 11 in advance of Mother's Day.
During this phase of paving work, contractors working on behalf of PBOT will grind off the top layer of existing pavement and then pave back with new asphalt. Crews will work overnight Friday through Saturday night to minimize impacts to the traveling public. Local residents and businesses can anticipate some nighttime construction noise on the evenings of May 9 and May 10.
The safety and maintenance overhaul of SW Fourth Avenue is updating this key gateway into Downtown Portland, with new smooth pavement, safety upgrades and access improvements for people who depend on mobility devices.
This $21 million project is funded by the voter-approved 10-cent gas tax known as Fixing Our Streets, maintenance funds, as well as transportation system development charges, with additional contributions from Prosper Portland and TriMet.
Map showing active construction zones on SW Fourth Avenue for the month of May, 2025. Map by PBOT.
Over the next three weeks, active construction will also be underway at the intersections of SW Fourth Avenue at Madison, Main, Salmon and Taylor streets. This work will be focused on upgrading corner ramps to meet modern accessibility standards and installing foundations and conduit for updated streetlights. Required sawcutting and demolition will be noisy at times. This work is setting the stage for the fourth phase of paving work later this summer.
Work on SW Fourth Avenue continues to progress northward to West Burnside, with a focus on replacing outdated corner ramps with new ADA-compliant ones. PBOT expects the full paving project to be completed by the end of 2025.
Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9, people traveling northbound on SW Fourth, approaching SW Harrison, will be detoured to Naito Parkway via Harrison. Those wishing to return to Fourth Avenue can do so by turning left from Naito onto SW Clay, and then right back onto SW Fourth.
Sidewalks will remain open. Public transit riders should check TriMet.org for service impacts.
Additional phases of paving are planned and will occur after Memorial Day.
Map showing detour route for when paving requires closure of SW Fourth Avenue between Harrison and Market. Map by PBOT.
The traveling public is advised to expect delays, travel cautiously, observe all closures and directions by flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. Local access to residences and businesses will remain available.
This work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change.
Go slow and use caution to keep crews safe when traveling near work zones
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. 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.
PBOT will provide periodic updates throughout construction on the project website. Sign up here to receive construction updates by email.
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. portlandoregon.gov/transportation