NW Johnson & Kearney Street Extension Project

Current News

August 2026 Update: The contractor, Landis & Landis, is currently working to finish installing curbs and sidewalks. They are also working on modifications to the streetcar pole at the intersection of NW 9th and NW Lovejoy, installing street light bases and conduit, and preparing to pave NW Johnson Street. NW Kearney Street was paved last month. Work to prepare NW 9th Avenue is anticipated to begin this month (see below).

Upcoming Closures of NW 9th Avenue and NW Lovejoy

Starting in September, there will be work happening on both NW 9th Avenue and NW Lovejoy which will likely cause traffic disruptions and also require construction to occur during overnight hours. 

PBOT's contractor will be preparing NW 9th Avenue for new pavement between NW Johnson and NW Lovejoy Street. This work requires digging out the existing asphalt before it can be replaced. The plan is to do one side of the street at a time to allow local traffic and after-hours traffic to go southbound. The street will be fully closed to non-local traffic for several weeks. 

Additionally, PGE is beginning work to install conduit under NW Lovejoy and along NW 9th Avenue north of Lovejoy. This work requires boring under NW Lovejoy Street. To avoid impacts to to Portland Streetcar service, the work will occur overnight between the hours of 12am and 5am. NW Lovejoy east of NW 9th Avenue will be fully closed during these hours, with a detour in place.  A noise variance for the work has been issued. During the day, work will occur on NW 9th Avenue north of NW Lovejoy Street. This work is anticipated to begin in September and last until November.

 We recognize this work causes disruptions and appreciate the patience and understanding of everyone living and travelling in this area.

View full size image of Picture of NW Kearney Street being paved

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View full size image of Construction of Johnson and Kearney Streets

Project Details

In collaboration with Prosper Portland’s Broadway Corridor redevelopment project the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is constructing new streets through the former United States Postal Service site.  PBOT staff and contractors will be building new sidewalks, streets, separated bike lanes, as well as intersections through the redevelopment site to connect to the existing street network. The project focuses on extending NW Kearney and NW Johnsons Streets through the site from NW Ninth Ave to NW Station Way. There will also be some changes to nearby streets to facilitate connectivity and access.  These changes will provide new and vital connections to Union Station, the Pearl District, and beyond. This project is partially funded through a local improvement district (LID), along with transportation system development charges (SDCs).

View full size image of Architectural rendering showing the cross section of the NW Johnson Street extension looking eastward towards Union Station. It shows a local street with parking on one-side and a raised bikelane and sidewalks including street trees.

Project Elements:

• New streets, extending NW Johnson and Kearney streets from NW Ninth Ave to NW Station Way, including:
• Motor-vehicle access, on-street parking, sidewalks, and protected bike lanes on NW Johnson Street.
• New bike lanes on NW Ninth Ave from NW Lovejoy and Johnson.
• Installation of a 2-way protected bike lane on NW Johnson Street between NW 10th and Ninth Avenues. 

View full size image of Archictetural rendering showing the cross section of the NW Johnson Street extension looking eastward towards Union Station. It shows a local street with parking on one-side and a raised bikelane and sidewalks including street trees.

View full size image of Architectural rendering showing the cross section of the NW Kearney Street extension, showing 2-way street with street parking and sidewalks including street trees.

Additional changes to adjacent streets

NW Johnson Street from NW Ninth to NW Tenth Avenues. 

View full size image of drawing showing changes to NW Johsnson street between NW 9th and 10th Avenues, show parking removal on southside for a two way bike lane.

NW Ninth Avenue between NW Johnson and NW Lovejoy Streets

View full size image of drawing showing changes to NW Ninth Ave showing parking removal on both sides to accomodate a bike lane between NW Johnson and Lovejoy Street. also adding a bike signal at Lovejoy and NW Ninth Ave.

Timeline

Learn more

Read the Broadway Corridor Master Plan

View the cross section and renderings