What's happening now?
These five signals are part of a capital projects package which includes street lighting upgrades. Read about the entire project and sign up for email updates here.
E Burnside Street & NE 16th Avenue
- Equipment installation has been completed, signal is awaiting final testing prior to activation.
NE MLK Jr. Boulevard & NE Going Street: COMPLETED
- Signal has been activated; minor punch list items remain.
NE Glisan Street & NE 113th Avenue
- At the end of October 2024 a driver crashed their car into the traffic signal cabinet (the signal's "brain") and a pedestrian pole, damaging both in the process. The signal had not yet been activated. New equipment will need to be ordered and installed, significantly delaying the activation date. The timeline is now TBD.
SE Washington St & SE 86th Ave: COMPLETED
- Rapid flashing beacon has been activated
SE Main Street & SE 148th Avenue
- Equipment installation has been completed, signal is awaiting final testing prior to activation
Project Background
These crossings were identified as important connections for students and families accessing schools . Walking routes and problem intersections 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 at SafeRoutesProjects.com.
The signals will be constructed at the following intersections:
- NE MLK Blvd & NE Going St - Half Signal (Portland Public School District (PPS), Grant-Jefferson cluster)
- E Burnside St & SE 16th Ave - Rapid Flashing Beacon (PPS District, Cleveland cluster)
- SE Washington St & SE 86th Ave - Rapid Flashing Beacon (PPS District, McDaniel-Jefferson cluster)
- SE 148th Ave & SE Main St - Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (Centennial School District)
- NE Glisan St & NE 113th Ave - Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (David Douglas School District)
Details about signal types:
Half Signal: Vehicle traffic on a major street has a traditional signal, while the smaller side street has a stop sign. When people walking and biking want to cross the major road, traffic will come to a full stop.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): RRFB’s are yellow diamond-shaped signs that alert drivers to look for people crossing with bright, attention-getting, flashing lights also activated by a push button. They draw visibility to crosswalks when people are ready to cross.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon: Push button that activates a red traffic light when a person walking is ready to cross. When no pedestrians are present, the signals stay dark.
See a basic map of the projects on this capital projects website.
Project Funding
The Fixing Our Streets 10-cent citywide gas tax was approved by voters in May 2016 and again in May 2020. The Safe Routes to School program receives funds from Fixing Our Streets to improve access to schools across Portland.
