What's happening now?
UPDATED: Preliminary neighborhood project data has been collected. A map with pre- and post-project traffic data is included below. Neighborhood streets saw little to no increase in traffic volumes or speeds due to project elements. NE Alameda saw a reduction in traffic volumes and speeds.
About the project
- PBOT will improve traffic circulation and signal timing at a complex intersection. It will remove the NE Alameda St signal phase from the 5-leg interchange.
- It will give more “green time” to NE Sandy and NE 57th avenues, reducing delay to TriMet bus lines 12 and 71.
- It will improve traffic operations on NE Sandy and NE 57th Ave.
- It will reduce cut-through traffic on the NE Alameda Neighborhood Greenway.
- No changes will be made to the bicycle and pedestrian signal phase at NE Alameda.
What will the pilot look like?
- Low cost, non-permanent materials to allow for adjustments.
- Before and after vehicle volume collection to monitor traffic changes on other streets.
UPDATED: Traffic Impact and Analysis
PBOT collected data at 8 locations during the fall and winter of 2021 and 2022 and spring of 2023 to understand how neighborhood traffic is operating and the project's traffic impact (see map and information, below). The last 10 years of traffic data collected by PBOT can be found on our publicly available webmap
Preliminary project data shows no significant impact to traffic on surrounding neighborhood streets. NE Alameda has significantly reduced speeds and less overall traffic.
Pilot Project Success Factors & Considerations
In 2015, City Council authorized the Neighborhood Greenway Assessment Report. City Council directed PBOT to adopt updated guidelines for neighborhood greenway operations, relating specifically to traffic speeds and volumes and intersection crossing opportunities for people walking and biking. The report specifically laid out guidance for how potential issues on streets adjacent to neighborhood greenway improvement projects should be addressed.
Guidelines for local service streets: As a result of traffic calming efforts on neighborhood greenways traffic volumes should not exceed 1,000 cars per day or 50 cars per hour during peak demand on adjacent local service streets.
Rationale: 1,000 cars per day or 50 cars per peak hour serve as the target volumes for neighborhood greenway operations. Local service streets can operate efficiently within the automobile thresholds recommended for neighborhood greenways. (Page 11)
PBOT’s robust data collection efforts at eight locations in the project area will help determine the local impact of the project. If post project data shows that a local service street in the project area went from less than 1,000 vehicles per day before implementation to over 1,000 vehicles, PBOT will work with the neighborhood to consider the following mitigations:
- Install traffic calming on the local service street, such as speed bumps.
- Investigate additional signage on the local service street, such as stop signs.
- Install traffic operational changes on the local service street, such as creating a one-way street.
- Remove or modify the intersection change at NE Alameda and NE 56th.
What else do we know?
- We know slow and unreliable transit perpetuates inequities and disproportionately burdens low-income households and communities of color, and impedes access to jobs, school, health care, services and daily needs.
- We know residents are concerned about vehicle volume impacts on other neighborhood streets in the project area. Roughly six months after the pilot project installation, PBOT will collect vehicle data in the area, and impact mitigation strategies may be developed as needed.
Information sent to area residents
Sign up for email updates
Submit your email address here to receive updates about this project