SE Division street undergoing new safety renovations

Posted April 2021

By Garon Jones

Editor

New road and landscaping improvements are scheduled to be constructed all throughout SE Division street beginning in Spring of 2021 and ending Spring of 2022.

Some of the changes include new crosswalks with signals, new bike lanes, and new landscaping, along with the promise of safer intersections and raised center medians. The city has made this decision because Division is ranked first for the most people killed while walking. It is also ranked first for most people seriously injured in motor vehicles, and number two for people killed while biking. In total, 20 people have died and 107 have been seriously injured on SE Division in the last decade.

Measures are currently being taken in an effort to improve safety. As of this story being published, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has lowered the speed limit to 30 mph, added speed cameras and street lighting, filled in missing sections of sidewalk, and built several pedestrian crossing signals near areas with a history of injuries or fatalities.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to add 10 more of these crossing signals, along with further bike lanes.

The bureau started a public feedback process in 2017 and was able to install a number of projects due to community feedback. The projects include: A traffic signal at 125th, more open left turn medians, and further on-street parking.

The bureau also has a website where users can sign up and receive updates on the continued progress.

This project is paid for with the city’s General Fund, its gas and cannabis tax, and funding from Oregon House Bill 2017.