(December 1, 2014)  – The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the traveling public that street improvements will require lane closures on SE Harney Drive from SE 45^th Avenue to SE Flavel Drive from Tuesday, December 2 through Wednesday, December 10, 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. each weekday.  This project may also include some weekend work.

 The lane closures will allow crews to grind 2.13 lane miles of pavement in preparation for paving at a later date. 

PBOT street improvement crews work through the winter, adjusting tasks based on weather conditions. Crews will grind down old asphalt and prepare street surfaces for paving even in cold and rainy conditions. They will return to complete paving during a window of dry weather.

Streets with ground down surfaces are open for travel. Lane closures are only in effect during project hours.  Access will be maintained for businesses and residents during the project,

 Parking restriction barricades will be in place one or two workdays before the start of work. The traveling public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. We ask the public to travel cautiously, observe all lane closures and directions by flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible.

This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.

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(Novermber 26, 2014)  On Saturday, November 22, 2014, the City of Portland Safe Routes to School program participated in the Fix-it Fair held at Parkrose High School.  Every year the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability hosts three Fix-it Fairs.  As part of the event, Safe Routes offers free minor bike repair to families.  Volunteer mechanics from Bikes for Humanity and Bike Farm were busy repairing 16 bikes, including this adorable scoot bike.  

Safe Routes staff were also on hand to promote walking, biking and rolling to school.  The Safe Routes program is in over 100 schools in the Portland area working with students through bike and pedestrian safety education, walk and bike encouragement activities, SmartTrips to School, engineering projects, and enforcement. 

Safe Routes will offer free minor bike repair at the other two Fix-it Fairs in January and February – thanks to Bikes for Humanity and Bike Farm.  Click here for fair dates and locations.  For more information regarding Safe Routes to School, check out their website. 

The Portland City Council will consider amendments to the proposed Portland Street Fund at 10 a.m. Dec. 3. Council is expected to vote on the amended proposal on Dec. 10.

Commissioner Steve Novick will offer an amendment that would have the fund expire or "sunset" after six years without Council action. Under the amendment, the residential income tax and non-residential fee would be charged for tax years 2015 through 2020. It would not be continued after tax year 2020 without action by the City Council or a vote of the public to extend it.

Another amendment will be offered to ensure that City funding for pavement maintenance in future years from non-Street Fund sources shall be no less than the amount of such funding from non-Street Fund sources currently allocated for fiscal 2014-15 if the Portland Street Fund is approved by Council. The Street Fund would add to the city’s annual pavement maintenance budget, more than doubling the total amount spent each year.

Council invites public testimony on the amendments on Dec. 3. Testimony will be limited to the proposed amendments, however testimony on the entirety of the Portland Street Fund proposal is welcomed in writing. Comments and questions may be sent to ourstreetspdx@portlandoregon.gov.

Learn more about the Portland Street Fund and find updates at www.OurStreetsPDX.com and on Twitter at @PBOTinfo and #ourstreetspdx.

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(November 19, 2014)  Wait! Bicycling season is not over. The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Active Transportation Division has lots of activities planned to help you become an all-season commuter and to stay active all year long.

You will find us well represented at the upcoming Fix-It Fair on Saturday, November 22 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver St. We will have a general information table complete with walk and bike maps, other information and fun giveaways. All Fix-It Fairs are FREE and open to the general public.

In addition, we’ll offer a FREE 45-minute All Season Cycling Class at the Fix-It Fair at 1:00 pm. You can learn how to make yourself visible with the right lights, gear and clothing, how to recognize and deal with seasonal road hazards, and how to dress to stay dry and comfortable in all weather conditions. If time allows, we’ll spend some time talking about basic bike maintenance for winter weather.

The Safe Routes to School team will be at the Fix-It Fair talking to families about walking school buses, bike trains and more.  We’ll also have FREE basic bike repair for students and families from 9:45 am to 2:00 pm.  Be sure to have your bike there by 2:00 pm so our amazing volunteers from Bike Farm and Bikes for Humanity have time to complete needed work before the Fix-It Fair closes. Some typical repairs we perform include tightening brakes, fixing flats and adjusting shifters.

Finally, we will again offer our 90-minute All Season Cycling Class, postponed on November 13 due to the threat of winter weather. The newly rescheduled class is on Thursday, December 4 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the PCC CLIMB Center, 1626 SE Water Ave. It’s FREE (no registration needed) and includes a raffle for seasonally appropriate prizes!

We’ll do what we can to help you stay healthy and happy and on your bike all year long!

(November 17, 2014)  – The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the traveling public that street improvements will require lane closures on NE 28^th Avenue from NE Glisan Street to NE Broadway from Tuesday, November 18 through Monday, December 1^st, 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. each weekday. This project may also include some weekend work.

The lane closures will allow crews to grind 1.39 lane miles of pavement in preparation for paving at a later date.  

PBOT street improvement crews work through the winter, adjusting tasks based on weather conditions. During the winter season, PBOT street improvement crews can grind down old asphalt and prepare street surfaces for paving even in cold and rainy conditions. They will return to the street to complete paving when dry conditions prevail. 

Streets with ground down surfaces are open for travel. Lane closures are only in effect during project hours.  

 During the project, access will be maintained for businesses and residents. The public is advised to expect delays while repairs are being made. We ask the public to travel cautiously, observe all lane closures and directions by flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible.

This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.

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