N Willis Boulevard sidewalk construction begins September 30

News Article

Safer crossings and improved walking and transit access are coming to the Portsmouth neighborhood when construction begins next week on the N Willis Boulevard Sidewalk project.

The project will fill sidewalk gaps on the south side of N Willis Boulevard between N Newman Avenue and Chautauqua Boulevard, update or build new curb ramps to the latest standard of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), upgrade the traffic signal at N Wayland Avenue, and plant street trees along the corridor. Project goals are to improve connections to area schools, TriMet bus stops, and key locations like the Charles Jordan Community Center.

Expect lane reductions and intermittent road closures on N Willis Boulevard and surrounding streets throughout construction, anticipated to last five months.

A map showing the project area for the N Willis Boulevard Sidewalk Project between N Newman Avenue and Chautauqua Boulevard. The map identifies locations of new marked crosswalks, updated ADA curb ramps, the 6-foot wide sidewalk on the south side of the street, a new bus stop pad at N Woolsey Avenue and updated traffic signal at N Wayland Avenue. Map by PBOT.

Construction Impacts

The traveling public is advised to expect delays. Please travel slowly and cautiously in work zones, observe all detours and directions by reader boards and flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. Expect dust, noise, vibrations, and heavy equipment near the work zone.

Traffic impacts and routing will vary based on work being done. During full 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.

As always, thank you for keeping crews safe by following all traffic control signs and flaggers while traveling through or near work zones.

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

PBOT will provide periodic updates throughout construction. To sign up for construction updates, visit portland.gov/Willis-Sidewalk-SRTS.

Current conditions: Existing sidewalk on N Willis Boulevard ends at N Dwight Avenue with an inaccessible curb. Across the street, the sidewalk ends in dry grass.

Project Background and Funding

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Safe Routes to School programidentified 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]

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any city program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, or other protected class status. Adhering to Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II civil rights laws, the City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities by reasonably providing: translation and interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, contact the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 503-823-5185 or 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service & TTY: 711.