Portland’s newest bicycle boulevard coming to Sellwood

(Portland, Ore.) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation will create a new bicycle boulevard in Sellwood, on S.E. Spokane Street, as the initial piece of a 15-mile project identified by Mayor Sam Adams in his First 100 Days agenda.

“I want to see safe streets for residents and cyclists. Routes like these will help us meet our goals in the Climate Action Plan to provide every resident of the City with bikeable, walkable neighborhoods that have connections to local businesses, schools and community centers,” Adams said.

Bicycle boulevards are designated routes for cyclists near major streets that provide direct connections to where people work, shop, play and live. They are installed on residential streets with low traffic numbers and accommodate cyclists by discouraging drivers from using the street as a cut-through and from speeding.

Construction will begin November 16 on a nine-block stretch of S.E Spokane Street from S.E. 19th Avenue to S.E. Sixth Avenue and last several weeks. “We know it’s never fun to be impacted by a construction project, but we’re trying to make the experience as painless as possible,” said Kyle Chisek, PBOT project manager. “We should be out of there before the holidays.”

Neighbors and the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League worked with PBOT for over two years to make sure this street made it into the current addition to Portland’s bicycle network. SMILE is planning an event to celebrate the bike boulevard once construction is done in December.

The project includes improved pedestrian crossings, stormwater management, traffic calming, reconfigured stop signs and bicycle parking. The city will be using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus money to add more pavement markings and signs once the weather gets warm to help cyclists find their way.

“This area will be more appealing and accessible for residents and visitors alike, which will help promote the vitality of local businesses. City crews will keep the construction interruption short, and when we’re finished I will continue to encourage people to patronize our local shops, service providers, and restaurants,” Adams said.

More information can be found at www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?&c=50516

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Contact:

Dan Anderson, public information officer

Portland Bureau of Transportation

(503) 823-3723

dan.anderson@ci.portland.or.us