Sumner Association of Neighbors (SAN)

Our neighborhood survey showed that Sumner residents (here in NE Portland) are interested in more or better sidewalks. Well, at least one important street in Sumner is slated to get sidewalks this summer.

Both sides of Northeast 82nd Avenue from NE Prescott Street to NE Alberta Street are slated for sidewalk installation as part of the Southwest & East Portland Sidewalk Infill Project by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBoT).

Caption: Detail of PBoT sidewalk improvement map for NE 82nd Avenue

The project will be funded by federal stimulus money available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), but its cost is not yet specified. Our part of NE 82nd is one of four areas around Portland that are part of the sidewalk project. The other areas are NE Glisan east of NE 122nd Avenue, a section of SE 82nd Avenue, and part of SW Barbur Boulevard.

The project map (867K PDF file) shows sidewalk installation on both sides of NE 82nd, including ADA ramps, but does not specify how wide the sidewalks will be. Likewise, the project maps appears to show trees being planted on the west side of NE 82nd, but not on the east side.

PBoT says the project is on schedule, and cites the following dates:

• In early December 2009, the City submitted 100% Final Plans for review and approval.
• On December 29, 2009, the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) authorized the construction phase of this ARRA project and ODOT gave Notice to Proceed with advertisement.
• On January 11, 2010 the project was advertised for bid through the Portland Bureau of Internal Business Services, Procurement Services.

PBot specifies upcoming dates:

• Winter 2010: Contract Bid
• Spring – Fall 2010: Construction

The project website says that PBoT held open houses, but even as a Sumner Association of Neighbors (SAN) board member, I hadn’t heard about this project before.

We’ll invite the Bureau of Transportation to come talk about the project at our March 18 meeting.