Safe Routes Coming to SE 174th Avenue to Improve Access to Centennial Schools and Parks

Together with the Centennial School District and Powell Butte Elementary, the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) Safe Routes to School program secured grant funding to improve school access along SE 174th Avenue.

Project design is underway, with construction expected to begin by summer 2027.

View full size image of A person with a backpack walks against traffic in the dirt shoulder of SE 174th Ave. A vehicle approaches in the travel lane.

Design details

Project area: 

West side of SE 174th Avenue between SE Kelly and Francis streets

Goal of this project: 

Improve walk and bike access to Centennial Schools

Planned project elements: 

• Construct a 10-foot-wide concrete sidewalk with space for people walking and biking on the west side of SE 174th Avenue. The new sidewalk will be installed north and south of Powell Butte Elementary. The existing sidewalk in front of the school will remain.
• Paint three new crosswalks at SE Haig Drive, SE Marie Street, and at Powell Butte Elementary near the pathway to the Centennial High School field.
• Paint new buffered bike lanes on the west side of SE 174th between Powell Butte Community Gardens and Centennial Christian Church, along existing sidewalk.
• Plant new street trees in the furnishing zone between the street and sidewalk.
• Install streetlights near new crossings where lighting levels are currently low and relocate one school zone beacon.
• Install stormwater improvements, including filtration systems, updated pipes, and storm drains.

View full size image of A wide sidewalk with bicycle and pedestrian symbols and arrows on the surface designating space for people. Street trees buffer the sidewalk from the road.

New buffered bike lanes require parking removal on west side of SE 174th Avenue between Powell Butte Community Gardens and Centennial Christian Church

To create continuous and comfortable space for people biking or rolling, new buffered bike lanes are planned on the west side of SE 174th Avenue. The wider sidewalks at the north and south ends of the project will include room for people walking and biking; however, this space narrows where sidewalk already exists, like in front of Powell Butte Elementary. Adding buffered bike lanes in this segment ensures a consistent, dedicated route for people biking or rolling.

Parking will remain available on the east side of SE 174th Avenue. A new marked crosswalk and concrete pedestrian island will improve visibility and make it safer for people crossing the street.

Designing for a Complete Street

A Complete Street is designed to support the safety and mobility of everyone using it, whether they are walking, biking, driving, or taking transit.

SE 174th Avenue carries more than 8,000 vehicles each day, and speeding is common, with many drivers traveling 7-10mph over the posted limit through a school zone. The corridor also serves school buses and gravel haulers along with neighborhood traffic. Providing more separation between people walking or biking and vehicle travel lanes will create a safer, more comfortable experience for students and neighbors accessing schools, parks, and other community destinations.

What's Happening Now

• The project team is advancing design work for major civil elements like curb ramps and stormwater drainage. 
• Right of Way staff are contacting adjacent property owners about needed temporary or permanent construction easements.
• Project staff continue meeting with the Centennial Transportation and School District staff, and Powell Butte Elementary leadership. They have also attended neighborhood events and meetings to share project details and answer questions.

Current Project Timeline

July - December 2026

• Project design continues
• Neighborhood and school district outreach
• Right of Way coordination with property owners

January - March 2027

• Finalize design
• Begin process to hire a construction contractor
• Continue neighborhood and school district outreach

Late Spring - Summer 2027

• Construction expected to begin

Funding

$1.9 million from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Competitive Infrastructure Grant awarded in 2023

20% local match provided by General Fund dollars dedicated to the SRTS program for use on school traffic safety projects in East Portland

Total budget: $2,353,000

Stay up-to-date on other nearby transportation projects

148th Avenue Safety & Transit Access Project (NE Halsey to SE Powell Blvd)
New pedestrian crossings and updated bicycle and transit facilities are coming to 148th Avenue! Draft designs are available on the website and construction is expected in 2028-29.

Safer Outer Stark, Phases IV and V
Construction expected in 2026-27 for pedestrian crossing improvements at six intersections with higher crash history, and paving and safety improvements like signal upgrades and additional street lighting. 

SE 128th Avenue Sidewalk Infill (SE Ramona Street to Foster Road)
This project will design and construct sidewalk, street trees, street lighting and stormwater mitigation, providing safer access to two David Douglas Schools.

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Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project
This project is managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the state's transportation agency. They are constructing safety improvements on outer SE Powell Boulevard from I-205 to SE 122nd Avenue and SE 136th Avenue to just east of SE 174th Avenue.

For more information on SE 174th Avenue:

Abra McNair  |  Project Manager

abra.mcnair@portlandoregon.gov  |  971-501-0419