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Committee clears NE 122nd Avenue crossings project, authorizes right‑of‑way acquisition process
Summary
Portland Bureau of Transportation presented a package to add or upgrade three signalized crossings on NE 122nd Avenue to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; the committee approved moving the ordinance to full council and authorized staff to begin negotiations for temporary construction easements and, if needed, condemnation.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) presented the Northeast 122nd Avenue Crossing Improvements Project to the Finance Committee on Sept. 22, and the committee voted to forward the item to full council with a “due pass” recommendation.
PBOT project leads said the capital project — funded with a mix of federal grants and local transportation charges — adds or upgrades three signalized crossings on 122nd Avenue at NE Beech (near Parkrose High School), NE Russell (a neighborhood greenway connection) and a new signal north of Halsey to improve access to the San Rafael shopping area. Brian Poole of PBOT summarized the engineering intent: the upgrades include a pedestrian hybrid beacon at Beech, an enhanced rapid flash beacon at Russell and a new channelized traffic signal near the shopping center to reduce conflict movements.
PBOT sought committee authority to begin right‑of‑way acquisition, saying temporary construction easements are needed from five property owners (each under 400 square feet in size) to build ADA‑compliant sidewalks, ramps and signal work. PBOT advised the committee that the bureau will seek negotiated easements first but requested authority to proceed with condemnation under the city’s eminent‑domain authority if negotiations fail.
“Some are far less than that. The temporary easements will facilitate construction of the sidewalk improvements that are ADA compliant, the ramps, the signals that are going,” PBOT right‑of‑way staff said. Committee members asked for and received clarification that the easements are temporary and expire after construction.
The committee voted to move the ordinance to full council with the recommendation that it be passed. Roll call recorded ayes from Councilor Nick Green; Councilor Amanda Avalos; Vice Chair Protogany; and Chair Zimmerman; the motion passed in committee.
Next steps: If full council approves the ordinance, PBOT expects to begin construction in the summer following council action and will carry out the negotiated acquisitions, billing and construction‑phase outreach. The bureau noted the project is one of several planned investments on 122nd Avenue, including lighting infill and a larger Safe Streets for All project slated for later design and construction phases.
