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Label:
Transportation
Label:
In planning
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is working to improve traffic safety on SE Chávez Boulevard from Lafayette Court to Schiller Street.
through
What's happening now
The results of the project survey from February and March 2026 is now available. Review the outreach summary document at the link below or read the text in the Public Outreach section of the website.
The project is in early design and PBOT staff will continue to share updates throughout the design phase.
Updated June 2026
Public Outreach
This section highlights themes from community outreach during the project development phase of the SE César E Chávez Boulevard Safety Project during Winter 2026. Project development refers to the phase before the formal design process kicks off. This is the phase where PBOT conducts early outreach to learn more from the community before refining the project.
In February and March 2026, PBOT staff provided information and notification to community members through an online open house and survey, sent mailers to 4,000 businesses, residents, and property owners, visited and provided information to 13 businesses in the project area, distributed lawn signs along the corridor, and presented to five neighborhood associations and community groups. Over 500 people responded to the survey.
Presentations
PBOT staff presented a walkthrough of the winter 2026 open house information and had discussions with community members at the following meetings:
- Wednesday, February 4: Woodstock Neighborhood Association
- Thursday, February 19: Reed Neighborhood Association
- Monday, February 23: Creston Kenilworth Neighborhood Association
- Monday, March 16: SE Uplift Land Use and Transportation Committee
- Tuesday, March 17: Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
Click here to view the SE Chávez Safety Project presentation slides
What was shared in the open house
- Existing conditions and crash history
- Project scope and recommendations, including reduction of lanes, new on-street parking, and signal upgrades at Holgate Boulevard
- Benefits and tradeoffs of the recommendations with summary of the project traffic analysis
- Related improvements that are not fully funded
What we asked through the survey
- Overall feedback on the project recommendations
- We specifically asked about left-turn lane and crossing locations with the following questions:
- Are there locations where it is difficult to turn left onto side streets while driving?
- Are there streets within the project area where you frequently cross SE Chávez Boulevard while walking?
Top themes and concerns
PBOT received 559 responses to the question, "How supportive are you of the recommended roadway and lane changes?" 40% are very supportive, 23% are supportive but have questions or concerns, 10% are somewhat supportive or unsure, and 26% are not supportive, and 0.4% selected none of the above.
Top themes from open-ended comments
- A call for safer crossings, specifically at Francis, Schiller, and Cora streets
- Support for protected left turns from Holgate Boulevard onto Chávez Boulevard
Top concerns raised in open-ended comments
- Concerns about increased traffic diverting to neighborhood streets
- Concerns about increased traffic congestion and longer travel times on an important north-south route
Who we heard from
- The most common zip codes among survey participants were 97202 (319 responses) and 97206 (159 responses).
- Almost all participants drive (91%) followed by walking (64%), riding the bus (30%), and biking (30%). Participants could select more than one option.
- Seventy-two percent of participants travel on or across Chávez Boulevard three or more times per week.
- 413 of the 561 participants filled out the optional demographic questions:
- 88% described their racial identity as white with 8% identifying as Asian, 4% identifying as Latinx or Hispanic, and 3% or less identifying with other racial or ethnic groups. Participants could select more than one option.
- 14% identified as having a disability.
What we heard
Left-turn lane feedback
Top locations included the following streets: Francis (57 responses), Schiller (25 responses), Cora (19 responses), Mall (15 responses), and Lafayette (14 responses). Many people mentioned challenges with turns at the Trader Joe's parking lot near Schiller Street and at Safeway north of Lafayette Court. Many stated that no locations were difficult for left turns.
Crossing location feedback
When asked where people frequently cross, top responses included Francis Street (164 responses), Schiller Street (146 responses), and Cora Street (100 responses), which align with PBOT's recommended crossing spacing. The remaining streets had the following responses: Mall Street (51 responses), Boise Street (47 responses), and Lafayette Court (33 responses). A large group of people selected "None of the above" (183 responses).
Other comments and concerns
- Some were opposed to on-street parking along the curb and mentioned visibility and safety concerns, using the space for other purposes, like bike lanes or greenery, and long-term RV parking concerns.
- Some participants asked PBOT to prioritize repaving and pothole repair over the roadway changes.
- Some requested enforcement in the area or speed bumps on side streets to address speeding and safety.
- Some raised concerns about transit, including concerns about delays if the bus blocks the travel lane and concerns about delays to bus service.
How public feedback will be incorporated in the design phase
All of the themes and comments from the survey will be considered in the project design phase. Feedback provided in-person, by phone, and by email has been documented as well. The project team sought specific feedback on left-turn lane and crossing locations through the project survey, and responses from staff are included below. PBOT staff will continue to provide updates, seek community feedback, answer questions, and clarify information through design and construction phases.
Left-turn lane locations
Survey participants raised Francis, Schiller, Cora, Mall streets, and Lafayette Court as top locations for left-turn lanes. In the design phase, the project team will use this feedback to finalize the roadway design. PBOT will also look into to other areas that survey participants addressed, including Trader Joe's and Safeway driveways.
Crossings
The project team is awaiting a funding decision for improved crossings identified at Francis, Cora, and Schiller streets. PBOT selected these crossing locations based on PedPDX crossing spacing guidance and considered crash history. Survey participants named Francis, Schiller, and Cora streets as top priorities, in that order. Upgraded crossings will include marked crosswalks with new curb ramps, median refuges, and improved street lighting. PBOT will share an update on funding for crossings in summer 2026 through the GovDelivery email list and project website.
Project Recommendations
The following includes recommendations from the online open house, which was shared with the public in February and March 2026. Further details will be refined and updates will be shared with the public during the design phase in 2026 and 2027.
Recommended cross section
PBOT staff recommend a cross section with two travel lanes for vehicles north of SE Mall Street, with center left-turn pockets added at key intersections. Outer travel lanes would be converted to parking wherever possible.
South of Holgate Boulevard to Schiller Street, PBOT staff recommend a three-lane cross section with one travel lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane that will allow left turns onto Schiller Street and other driveways (e.g., driveways at Trader Joe's or Holgate House). Parking will be added to both sides of the street in this segment as well.
PBOT currently recommends left-turn pockets at the intersections without signals: Lafayette Court, Francis Street, Schiller Street, and Raymond Street.
PBOT has another capital project aimed at improving safety at SE Gladstone Street by adding left-turn signals there. PBOT does not yet have a timeline for these upgrades, but will provide updates as soon as more information is available.
Visit the interactive map to walk through recommended changes
Summary of recommendations
Fully funded
PBOT will be upgrading the signal at SE Holgate Boulevard as part of the grant project with protected left turns for eastbound and westbound traffic. Additional improvements to these signals may be included if funding allows.
The grant scope of work includes new north and south left turn lanes at SE Raymond Street, which is slightly south of the Trader Joe's at Schiller Street.
Partially funded, part of a separate project
PBOT will upgrade the signal at SE Gladstone Street and has partial funding for this project. The project will include protected left turns at the intersection.
Unfunded
PBOT is planning for crossing improvements at the intersections of SE Francis, Cora, and Schiller streets, pending funding. Upgrades would include marked crossings with upgraded ADA curb ramps. If funding allows, PBOT will also explore improving street lighting and building median refuge islands at these crossings.
PBOT is working with TriMet on the placement of bus stops and exploring opportunities to coordinate transit stops with any pedestrian crossing enhancements to improve safety and access.
PBOT is also separately pursuing repaving SE César E Chávez Boulevard from Lafayette Court to Schiller Street.
Accessible Parking
The recommended project will include new on-street parking. If you are in need of an accessible parking space for yourself or a member of your household who has a valid state issued disability placard, contact the project team.
Corrine McQueen, PBOT Transportation Planner
corrine.mcqueen@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-3264
711 Oregon Relay Service
Mimi Phillips, PBOT Capital Project Manager
Mimi.Phillips@portlandoregon.gov
503-865-6727
711 Oregon Relay Service
Project Background
PBOT was awarded an All Roads Transportation Safety (ARTS) grant to address traffic safety on SE Chávez Boulevard from Lafayette Court to Schiller Street. The project will include signal and roadway improvements. The project budget is $2,232,000.
What about Chávez Boulevard north of Powell?
PBOT is launching a transportation safety planning study for Chávez Boulevard, focused on the segment from SE Powell Boulevard to the Banfield. The study will take place in 2026 and will explore opportunities to improve safety for everyone traveling on this stretch of the corridor. Sign up for email updates using the link below to receive all Chávez Boulevard updates from PBOT.
Sign up for email updates
This email will list will include updates on the SE Chávez Boulevard Safety Project (Lafayette Court to Schiller Street) and future PBOT projects on Chávez Boulevard.
Past Project Updates
February 2026
On February 4, 2026, PBOT launched a project online open house and survey seeking community feedback overall and specifically about crossing and left-turn pocket locations. Review the open house materials here (survey now closed on March 23, 2026): Online Open House for SE Chávez Boulevard Safety Project