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Label:
Traffic advisory
High-capacity bus shelters and an expanded pedestrian area will provide aesthetic upgrades, weather protection, and better lighting.
Published
(April 17, 2026) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) advises the traveling public that construction will begin April 21 on upgrades to two key transit stops in downtown Portland. The upcoming transit upgrades at SW 6th Avenue and SW Alder Street are part of a citywide effort to lay the groundwork for one of Portland's most anticipated new destinations: the James Beard Public Market. Initial work will focus on TriMet's Line 15 stop on SW Alder Street at 10th Avenue. Work at the stop on SW Alder Street at 6th Avenue will follow in May.
"PBOT is an integral piece of our downtown renaissance," said Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. "Together we are making our central city more accessible for Portlanders than ever before, by providing improved transit stops to the incredible cultural, retail, and dining destinations that make our city a destination."
"Downtown's comeback depends on how easy it is for people to get here and move around," said Deputy City Administrator for Public Works Priya Dhanapal. "PBOT's investments on SW Alder are making transit more reliable, safer, and more welcoming, while creating a strong front door to the James Beard Public Market and supporting the future of downtown Portland."
"Revitalizing downtown Portland is a team effort, and we are thrilled to have the City's support as we build this civic destination in downtown Portland," says Jessica Elkan, Executive Director of the Market. "PBOT's investments right outside our doors will provide a welcoming, accessible, and vibrant front porch for our future visitors, ensuring everyone can easily gather here to celebrate Oregon's rich food culture and bounty."
"Faster, more reliable bus trips are ahead for our riders, thanks to the transit improvements included in PBOT's Rose Lane project," said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. "Those riders will also appreciate upgrades to the bus stops at Southwest 6th and Alder. We're excited to see vintage MAX shelters upcycled and modernized to serve a new generation of riders on the Portland Transit Mall and future visitors to the James Beard Public Market."
The work follows the successful first phase of the SW Alder Street project completed in 2022, which rerouted TriMet's Line 15 to SW Alder Street for greater speed and reliability and installed temporary transit stops. This next phase will bring permanent infrastructure to the corridor. In partnership with TriMet and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), the Portland Bureau of Transportation is replacing the current temporary asphalt stops with durable concrete curb extensions and refurbished transit shelters previously used at former TriMet MAX stops.
Preparatory construction is already underway, with utility providers relocating some of their underground assets to make space for the new transit shelter foundations. These high-capacity bus shelters will provide aesthetic upgrades, weather protection, and better lighting.
Portlanders can expect daytime construction noise and travel delays on SW Alder Street through downtown, particularly during the morning and evening commute. SW Alder Street will remain open with a single travel lane. Transit riders should check www.trimet.org for impacts.
Pedestrians will be detoured to avoid the southwest corner of SW Alder Street at 10th Avenue. Parking will be restricted on both sides of SW Alder Street approaching 6th and 10th avenues. Construction is expected to be complete by the middle of August.
Prepping SW Alder for the James Beard Public Market!
By upgrading Portland's transit infrastructure in tandem with the James Beard Public Market's timeline, PBOT is building a comfortable, high-capacity front door for future visitors who will come to shop, eat, and gather. With the Market's internal renovations underway, this year-round market will soon breathe new life into downtown. Slated to open in early-2027, the market will feature approximately 40 local vendors showcasing the best of Oregon agriculture, food entrepreneurs, and small businesses under an original timber-framed roof.
To see what's cooking, view the latest design renderings, and learn more about the market's progress, visit jamesbeardpublicmarket.com.
Stay informed about the SW Alder Phase 2 project by visiting portland.gov/AlderPhase2.