Work begins to wrap up on N Willis Boulevard this month

News Article

As we near the end of 2024, we are also nearing the end of most substantial work on the N Willis Sidewalk project. In the coming weeks, crews will tackle some of the last major elements, including pouring the remaining corner ramps and planting street trees.

Two crew members make adjustments to the form and rebar in preparation to pour concrete at the southwest corner of N Chautauqua and Willis boulevards. This is one of the final areas waiting for concrete on the project.

Planned project schedule

Week of December 2:
Along with the concrete pour at N Chautauqua and Willis boulevards, pavement restoration is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday near corner ramps completed earlier in the project. Sign installation will happen near the end of the week.

Week of December 9:
Landscapers will add topsoil in areas adjacent to the new sidewalk and plant street trees at designated locations in the right-of-way. Concrete crews are scheduled to form and pour the remaining corner at N Wayland Avenue and Willis Boulevard.

Additional pavement restoration:
Dry weather is necessary to finish pavement restoration planned near corner ramps built most recently. Paving crews will be on site intermittently through the rest of the month and possibly into January for this weather-dependent work.

Active work zones may remain along sections of the project area with concrete pours and curing happening simultaneously. Thank you for your continued patience as work is winding down.

Cones and caution tape line fresh sidewalk on N Willis Boulevard at the corner of N Woolsey Avenue. The bus 35 Trimet stop in the photo will be relocated to the east side of N Woolsey Avenue with a new concrete waiting area for riders.A new corner ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) leads to new sidewalk headed eastward on N Willis Boulevard from N Dwight Avenue. In the coming weeks, landscapers will add topsoil to gaps next to the sidewalk and plant street trees in designated areas of the right-of-way.

Construction Impacts

The traveling public may continue to experience delays, but crews will be on site far less after mid-December. Please continue to travel slowly and cautiously in work zones, observe all detours and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible.

Traffic impacts and routing will vary based on work being done. During road closures, detour routes will be marked. Lane reductions will be identified with cones or have flaggers in place. Maintaining pedestrian routes will be prioritized throughout the project.

TriMet bus stops for lines 4 and 35 may be impacted by construction and temporarily relocated or closed.

Some work is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change.

Project Background and Funding

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Safe Routes to School program identified this segment of N Willis Boulevard as an important connection for students and families attending schools in the Roosevelt School District of Portland Public Schools (PPS). Members of the school community highlighted challenges on their neighborhood walking routes during a 2017 Safe Routes to School outreach process.

This project was made possible with funding from PBOT's Fixing Our Streets program. Voters approved the Fixing Our Streets 10-cent gas tax in May 2016, and again in 2020 and 2024. PBOT's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program was allocated funding through Fixing Our Streets for school access improvements across Portland.

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

Thank you for your patience during construction. For any questions or concerns, please use the contact information below.

Abra McNair / Project Manager
(971) 501-0419
[email protected]