(September 26, 2014)  The East Burnside Transportation Safety Project is scheduled to begin construction in early October on the first phase of improvements.  This High Crash Corridor project will restripe E Burnside St from 14th Ave to Laurelhurst Pl (just west of Cesar Chavez Blvd).  E Burnside will change from two lanes in each direction to one westbound lane, one center turn lane, and two eastbound lanes. The new configuration will add about 15 on-street parking spaces. A second phase in Spring 2015 will install three pedestrian islands and marked crossings at 18th, 22nd and 24^th avenues on the west leg of each intersection and reduce the posted speed from 35 to 30 MPH.

This project was requested by adjacent business and neighborhood associations and developed in partnership with a Community Working Group.  The goals of the project are to reduce crashes, reduce speeds, improve pedestrian crossings and access to transit, and support the business district.  The treatment is expected to reduce crashes on this segment of E Burnside by about 30%.

For additional information including the why, what, and when of the project, check out the project brochure here, or visit the Burnside High Crash Corridor website.