February 02, 2023

Merkley, Wyden Announce $22.4 Million Coming to Portland for Street Safety Improvements

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding the City of Portland $20 million to employ low-cost, high-benefit safety improvements on 5.5 miles of 122nd Avenue, and is awarding Metro $2.4 million to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for communities to improve pedestrian safety in the Greater Portland area. 

“For many people across Portland who use the city’s busy corridors, especially 122nd Avenue, it can be a dangerous trip. Addressing safety is crucial to ensuring everyone who travel the city gets where they are going safely,” said Merkley. “This investment will transform the current roadway into a safer street for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. I’m grateful this funding is headed to Portland, and will continue working to ensure every Oregonian is able to travel their cities safely.” 

“Portlanders and people visiting our city must be able to count on 122nd Avenue and other well-traveled thoroughfares to be safe when they’re driving, walking and cycling,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these federal investments are en route to the metro area, and I’ll keep battling to provide similar safety investments statewide.”

These grants are part of DOT’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.  

Information on the awards can be found below: 

  • City of Portland: $20 million to make 122nd Avenue safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, including improving street lighting, making signal improvements, adding additional pedestrian crossings, making protected bicycle lanes, and adding speed reader boards.  
  • Metro: $2.4 million to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for some communities, and perform data collection, enhanced analysis, and quick-build projects in other communities. 

 

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