(October 2, 2014)  -  To improve safety on one of Portland’s High Crash Corridors, the Portland Bureau of Transportation will restripe and reconfigure lanes this weekend on East Burnside Street from SE 14^th Avenue to Laurelhurst Place, just west of Cesar Chavez Boulevard. 

The safety improvements are projected to reduce crashes by about 30 percent. The Transportation Bureau recorded 383 crashes and one pedestrian fatality in the ten-year period ending in 2012. Additional benefits include improved pedestrian crossings and access to transit and a better environment for the business district. 

The East Burnside Transportation Safety Project was requested by adjacent business and neighborhood associations and developed in partnership with community members. Burnside Street is one of the city’s ten High Crash Corridors, roadways with unusually high crash rates and that are targeted for safety improvements for all.

As part of the East Burnside Transportation Safety Project, this stretch of road 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.

Restriping is scheduled for this weekend, October 4 and 5, with some additional work possible on October 6.  Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  During work hours, parking will not be allowed on the westbound side of the street.

People traveling during work hours should expect delays and are advised to use Sandy Boulevard as an alternate route. This work is weather-dependent and the schedule may change.

A second phase in spring 2015 will install three pedestrian islands and marked crossings at 18^th, 22^nd and 24^th avenues on the west leg of each intersection. In addition, PBOT will apply to the Oregon Department of Transportation for posted speed reduction from 35 to 30 mph.  More information is available on the project brochure and the Burnside High Crash Corridor website.