UPDATED What’s happening now?
Construction is complete on paving. Striping updates are partially complete. The section from SW Caruthers Street to SW Broadway Avenue is complete. An updated design on SW 6th Avenue approaching SW College is underway and is scheduled for spring 2026 construction.
Last Updated November 2025
UPDATED Project Description
During paving, PBOT staff was able to extend the paving limits, improving road conditions and reducing asset maintenance needs. Because the extended paving was opportunistic, there was not time to update striping plans in the section between SW Broadway Avenue and SW College.
This winter, PBOT is working on updating the striping plans on the extended paving section. Existing narrow bike lanes will be widened. As updated designs are available, the website and community will be updated and notified.
Previous Project Description - This work is now complete
PBOT plans to repave SW 6th Avenue during summer 2025. As with all paving projects, PBOT is reviewing system operations and looking to improve safety and access. After paving on SW 6th Avenue, PBOT plans to re-stripe the travel lanes to make conditions safer. The project will create safer bike lanes on SW 6th Avenue from SW Caruthers St to SW Broadway by increasing bike lane width and adding buffers.
The new vehicle travel lanes will generally match SW 6th Avenue to the north and south of this section. Vehicle parking will remain adjacent to the curb.
Existing Conditions:
- Northbound Bike Lane: 5.5 feet
- Southbound Bike Lane: 4.5 feet
- Four Vehicle Travel lanes: 11 feet
Conditions after Project Construction:
- Repaved asphalt road
- Northbound Bike Lane: 6 feet with an additional 2.5 foot buffer
- Southbound Bike Lane: 6 feet with an additional 2.5 foot buffer
- Three Vehicle Travel lanes: 11 feet
Project Background
PBOT's Maintenance Operation group develops an annual basic road maintenance schedule and SW 6th Avenue is planned for grinding and paving in summer 2025. During paving projects, PBOT reviews system operations and looks for opportunities to improve access and safety. This project aims to create safer conditions on SW 6th Avenue. In particular, the intersection of SW 6th Avenue and SW Broadway was flagged for safety improvements due to bicycle collision.
Project Goals
- Repave SW 6th Avenue to improve conditions, extend roadway life, and reduce asset maintenance burdens.
- Improve safety on SW 6th Avenue with road lane re-organization, creating wider bike lanes.
UPDATED Project Impacts
UPDATED Potential parking removal along SW 6th
A short section of on-street parking just south of SW College Street is likely to be removed or shortened to expand the bike lane width. Engineering work is still underway to determine specific impacts. Staff will reach out to residents, property owners, and other stakeholders with specific information as soon as it's available.
Removal of one northbound vehicle travel lane (complete)
There are currently three northbound travel lanes for vehicles on SW 6th Avenue from SW Caruthers Street to SW Broadway. The project will restripe SW 6th avenue travel lanes, creating two northbound travel lanes.
UPDATED Project Timeline
Winter 2025/2026: Design update for striping on SW 6th Avenue approaching SW Jackson Street
Spring 2026: Implement new striping plan as weather allows.
November 2024- January 2025: Project development and traffic analysis
February - May 2025: Project design and public outreach
September 2025: Construction
Public Outreach and Involvement
2025
February
- Letters: Project notification letters sent to immediately adjacent properties, residents, businesses, business associations and neighborhood associations
Project Funding
The updated striping project is funded Portland Clean Energy Fund, $125,000.
Paving is funded by Fixing Our Streets program.