Closure of N Williams Left Lane Begins

Monday, October 06, 2014

GoLocalPDX News Team

The left lane of North Williams Avenue's will be closed for restriping beginning Monday as part of a new street design that will include a wider bicyle lane and the removal of one motor vehicle lane. The left lane, now used for cars, will become a 12-foot-wide bicycle lane.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, such as Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, though cyclists can still use the right bicycle lane. The lane closure will be in effect around the clock.

The new design for the busy North Portland corridor includes a new traffic signal at the North Cook Street, new striped crosswalks and curb extensions, and a new, lower speed limit of 25 mph.

Construction began last month on the new street design, which will extend along North Williams Avenue from Northeast Broadway to Killingsworth streets. The new bicyle lane is not expected to open until mid-October.

Developed in 2012, the project is aimed at addressing longstanding community concerns over pedestrian safety.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation launched “A Safer Place for Everyone” outreach campaign to inform people of the new street design. The campaign features residents and a safety message to fellow residents via a series of banners and A-boards. The banners are along the corridor and, according to the Bureau of Transportation, will be displayed through the winter.

The bureau also mailed “A Safer Place for Everyone” brochures to area residents and distributed them to local businesses. They're asking people to share photos and their own messages on social media with the hashtag #northwilliams.

For more information, go to www.northwilliamssafety.org