Background
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is excited to announce a major funded project to improve conditions for people walking, biking, and using transit on N Willamette Blvd.
This project will add 3 new miles of protected bikeway on N Willamette Blvd, connecting to existing facilities on N Rosa Parks Way, to create a continuous 5-mile connection from St Johns & Cathedral Park to NE MLK Jr Blvd. In addition to bikeway improvements, this project will add new pedestrian crossings, design for safer speeds, and improve access to transit for TriMet Line 44.
This project is funded in part by Metro’s Regional Flexible Funds grant for Active Transportation and will be built between 2025 and 2027. Below are initial draft design recommendations for public discussion and background information. There will be opportunities for future public engagement to shape and refine these concepts. Please join our mailing list and find out ways to engage with this project.
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PBOT will be sharing project designs for public review and feedback throughout the summer and fall of 2021 and would like your feedback to help shape and refine a final recommendation. Sign up here to stay in touch and learn about opportunities to engage with this project.
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History
For a generation, N Willamette Blvd has played an important role in meeting the mobility needs of people traveling throughout the North Portland peninsula. City transportation policy supports further improvements to make deeper investments to improve conditions for people of all modes traveling on N Willamette Blvd.
As one of the only streets that traverses the entire peninsula, N Willamette Blvd has the potential to unlock new transportation options to residents throughout North Portland. As we look towards the future, PBOT is excited to have the opportunity to make a major investment to support walking, biking, and transit and build a world-class multimodal corridor in North Portland.
Initial Project Recommendations
Protected bike lanes:
Protected bike lanes create a physically separate facility for bicyclists within the same right-of-way as general vehicle traffic. These facilities are some of the safest infrastructure options for cyclists since they reduce potential conflicts between bicyclists and other transportation modes. In order to realize this goal, most on-street parking along N Willamette Blvd between N Richmond and N Rosa Parks Way would need to be removed or relocated to provide adequate space for a world-class, safe, protected bikeway design.
More frequent, safer crossings:
Today, there are few improved crossings along N Willamette Blvd. This project will build on citywide policy and guidance outlined in PedPDX and Vision Zero to add new, frequently spaced pedestrian crossings along the entire stretch of the corridor. The highest level of investment will focus on crossings with bus stops, that are identified on the Safe Routes to School network, and at the intersection of existing and future bikeways. Community members will have the opportunity to weigh in on which crossings should receive priority investments.
Safer vehicle speeds:
We have heard time and time again about excessive vehicle speeds along N Willamette Blvd. In addition to pursuing a reduced speed limit along the entire corridor from 30mph to 25mph ahead of project delivery, PBOT is exploring ways to reduce speeds through engineering and design changes. This could include treatments like adding new stop signs, fire-friendly speed cushions, and other traffic calming measures.
Better bus stops:
PBOT has begun implementing new and improved bus stops on routes with major bicycle facilities. These bus stops are equipped with ADA accessible platforms that bicyclists bike behind, eliminating the potential conflict between buses and bikes. This project will also seek to install enhanced crossing facilities according to PedPDX, which advises a crossing within 100 feet of each bus stop. Some bus stops may be eligible for upgrades, such as shelters and benches.
Recent & Funded Projects
N Rosa Parks protected bike lanes:
In the spring of 2018, PBOT leveraged a maintenance opportunity on N Rosa Parks Way to build the first protected bikeway in North Portland. Stretching from N Willamette Blvd to NE MLK Jr Blvd, the design of N Rosa Parks Way prioritizes the safety and comfort of people biking by providing a wide bike lane separated from vehicle traffic by sturdy concrete barriers. In addition to the better biking facilities, the project added numerous improved crossings.
N Willamette Neighborhood Greenway:
In 2018-2019, PBOT worked with neighborhood residents to realize a new quiet, calm, and low-stress route for walking and biking along the southern section of N Willamette Blvd south of N Rosa Parks Way. By taking a neighborhood-wide lens, the design of the neighborhood greenway was able to address long-standing concerns about cut-through traffic and open up the street to become a beloved space for walking, running, biking, and socializing.
N Greeley Multi-use Path:
The N Greeley Multi-use Path is a two-way bicycle and pedestrian facility that protects users from the high-speed and heavy freight street by using a continuous concrete barrier. The project also repaved the entire width of N Greeley through the project area. The path connects North Portland neighborhoods to the Rose Quarter and Central City.
North Portland in Motion:
In the summer of 2021, PBOT will begin a planning effort called North Portland in Motion. This effort will be an opportunity for the people who live, work, and play in the North Portland peninsula to come together and identify a ten-year investment plan to support walking, biking, and transit use throughout the growing neighborhoods in North Portland.
Next Steps & Considerations
Transit Stop Improvements & Optimization:
TriMet’s Line 44 serves the N Willamette Blvd corridor connecting St Johns, University Park, and Arbor Lodge to Inner NE Portland and the Central City. Through this project, we have the opportunity to optimize bus stop locations along the corridor to provide better amenities and more accessible bus stops. PBOT is working closely with TriMet and will be engaging with transit riders to prioritize bus stops for improvements.
Wayfinding & Public Space:
Wayfinding signs direct riders to important destinations. For individuals that are new to bicycling or visiting an area they are not familiar with, wayfinding is exceptionally important for a successful trip. North Portlanders should lead the way on choosing what places should be featured and where wayfinding elements should be located.
Intersection Simplification:
Along the bluff section of N Willamette Blvd, there are a number of irregular intersections with long crossing distances and unclear circulation patterns. PBOT will be working closely with neighbors to understand ways in which intersections can be improved and simplified along the corridor.
On-Street Parking Removal & Mitigation:
In order to meet the goals of this project centered on providing a safe, all-ages-and-abilities bikeway and more frequent pedestrian crossings, the vast majority of on-street parking would need to be removed between N Rosa Parks Way and N Richmond Ave. We realize this would be a big change for many people who live along N Willamette Blvd. In many places, the parking supply is lightly utilized with ample space remaining on side streets. Additionally, many of the properties in this area have private driveways. In some areas along the corridor, there are sufficient alleys that can provide access for parking and loading. Throughout the summer and fall, PBOT will be listening and engaging with residents and property owners to understand ways we can mitigate parking removal for those with mobility needs or access barriers.
Join our N Willamette email list
PBOT will be sharing project designs for public review and feedback throughout the summer and fall of 2021 and would like your feedback to help shape and refine a final recommendation. Sign up here to stay in touch and learn about opportunities to engage with this project.
Sign up to receive emails about N Willamette Boulevard
Join our North Portland in Motion email list
North Portland in Motion will be a larger area plan to develop a prioritized list of projects and programs for the entire North Portland peninsula. Sign up here to stay informed about the progress of that plan over the coming years.