Portland’s SW Naito Parkway is getting a major facelift with new, smooth pavement extending from I-405 to just beyond SW Jefferson Street. From I-405 to SW Harrison, the street will be repaired and repaved. Beginning at SW Harrison and extending north to SW Jefferson, SW Naito will be completely rebuilt from the ground up, with safety and efficiency improvements for all travel modes.
In addition to a completely rebuilt street, the section of SW Naito from SW Harrison to SW Jefferson foresees:
- New traffic signals, including a dedicated signal for vehicles accessing the Hawthorne Bridge and a pedestrian crossing signal to access Pettygrove Park, the Lovejoy Fountain, and the Halprin Blocks.
- New bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the east side of the street, including a new path and sidewalk. Currently, no bicycle or pedestrian facilities exist on the east side of SW Naito.
- Updated signal timing to improve traffic operations through the corridor.
- Improved crossings at major intersections to improve safety.
This project will build an important connection for people bicycling, walking, and accessing Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland State University, and the South Waterfront neighborhood. Currently, no sidewalks or bike facilities exist on the east side of SW Naito. The project’s boundaries end just beyond SW Jefferson, allowing a future connection to the seasonal Better Naito project and year-round access to Waterfront Park.
Traffic modeling of the project shows improved operation for the whole corridor. The new traffic signals and updated timing will help move more people and vehicles through the corridor in less time. Take a look at the traffic model for the new signal planned at SW Naito at the Hawthorne Bridge onramp on PBOT's YouTube channel.
Funding for the reconstruction and bicycle safety improvements on SW Naito Parkway comes from several sources, primarily: Transportation System Development Charges, which are fees paid by developers to help manage population growth; the Fixing Our Streets program, funded by a local gas tax approved by Portland voters in May 2016 and a heavy vehicle use tax; and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation