SW Jefferson Bus/Bike Lane Improvements

Transportation

Engineering And Design

This project will improve transit and the bike lane on SW Jefferson between SW 14th and 18th avenues (Collins Circle).

Spring 2023

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What's happening now?

Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2023 and last two months.

Construction impacts

Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2023 and last for two months.

Area residents and businesses should expect  intermittent lane closures and traffic delays . Parking will be restricted in the construction zone 1-2 days before construction begins. Pedestrian access will remain open.   Expect dust, noise, vibrations, and heavy equipment on SW Jefferson and 17th. As always, please keep construction crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while travelling through or near work zones. 

During construction, the BIKETOWN station will be temporarily inactive. The closest BIKETOWN station will be a few blocks to the north at the Providence Park MAX station (SW Morrison and 18th Avenue). To accommodate the new protected bike lane on the north side of the street, the BIKETOWN station on SW Jefferson and 18th Avenue will be relocated to the SW corner of Jefferson and 17th Avenue.

If you have additional questions regarding station site placement, contact: Bryan Nguyen at Bryan.Nguyen@portlandoregon.gov.

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Project Background

Multiple bus lines use Jefferson to connect from the Hawthorne Bridge to Goose Hollow. This street is also a critical west connection through downtown for people driving.

PBOT will improve transit speed and reliability by adding a bus-and-turn lane on Jefferson. In addition, this project will add a concrete transit island at 17th avenue and add protection to the bike lane.

As part of the project, TriMet Lines 6, 45, 55, 68 will move from SW Jefferson & 16^th Stop ID 3052 to a new transit island stop at SW Jefferson & 17^th Avenue. Line 58 will continue to serve SW Jefferson & 16^th Stop ID 3052.

By getting buses out of the vehicle lane, PBOT will also reduce queuing for drivers heading to Highway 26.

PBOT will improve Jefferson from 16th Avenue to Naito Parkway and SW Columbia from 13th Avenue to Naito Parkway in future project phases.

Project Benefits

Riding the bus

Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes on Jefferson will improve travel times for five bus lines to access and get through downtown, relieving a major pinch point in the transit system.

A new median island at 17th will create efficiencies for buses, allowing them to move into the left lane as they approach SW 18th Avenue and travel around Collins Circle.

Bicycling

Moving the bike lane to the curb on Jefferson and adding protection will improve comfort and safety.

ADA Accessibility

One corner on the northeast corner of SW Jefferson and 17th avenue will be upgraded to meet ADA guidelines.

Driving

Adding a travel lane for buses and positioning buses in the left lane will provide more space for vehicles, reducing travel times on SW Jefferson Street.

Project Impacts

This project includes some parking and loading zone changes.

Parking will be removed from the north side of Jefferson between 16th and 18th avenues
Parking will be removed from the south side of SW Jefferson between16th and 17th avenues
Approximately four angled parking spaces on the south side of SW Jefferson between 17th and 18th avenues will be removed