N Willis Sidewalk Infill: N Newman Avenue to Chautauqua Boulevard

Transportation

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will oversee construction of new concrete sidewalk and ADA curb ramps on the south side of N Willis Boulevard between N Newman Avenue and N Chautauqua Boulevard, an essential connection for students, families and neighbors in the Portsmouth neighborhood.

Project completed March 2025

What's Happening Now?

This project was completed in March 2025. Any work taking place will be to update corner ramps to meet inspection requirements.

Construction began the week of September 30, 2024.

Before and after images of N Dwight Avenue at Willis — A before and after look at N Dwight Avenue and Willis Boulevard. Project improvements added new curb ramps, filled sidewalk gaps, improved pavement in some sections, and marked crosswalks. Photos by PBOT.

Project Description

Here are the completed project elements:

6-foot concrete sidewalk on the south side of N Willis Boulevard, filling gaps between existing sidewalk
4 new curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on the southwest and southeast corners of N Dwight and N Dana Avenues
11 updated curb ramps to the latest ADA-compliant standards on the southeast corner of N Woolsey Avenue, all corners of N Wayland Avenue, southwest and southeast corners of N Foss Avenue, and three corners of N Chautauqua Boulevard
Upgrade traffic signal and street light luminaire at N Wayland Avenue pedestrian crossing
14 new or refreshed marked crosswalks
18 new street trees
Relocate N Woolsey Boulevard TriMet stop from southwest corner to southeast and pour new concrete bus pad

A project map identifying types of improvements.

Project Background

This segment of N Willis Blvd was identified as an important connection for students and families attending César Chávez K-8 School in the Roosevelt cluster of Portland Public Schools (PPS) District. Walking routes and challenging connections were highlighted by school communities during a Safe Routes to School outreach process held throughout 2017.

You can read more about the planning process and see a map of citywide project locations and routes on this webpage.

Project Outreach

September 2024 Project Flyer emailed to area schools, church and community center.

April 2024 Project Postcard mailed to 1,050 residents living near the project area.

Project Funding

The Fixing Our Streets 10-cent citywide gas tax was approved by voters in May 2016 and again in May 2020. Safe Routes to School was allocated funding by Fixing Our Streets for school access improvements across Portland.