One month of Highway 26 path closures start December 7th

odotclosurepath26

As part of an ODOT project to add new electronic signs on U.S. 26 and I-84, there will be short-term impacts to the multi-use path along the south side of U.S. 26.

The contractor for the project expect intermittent nighttime path closures beginning December 7 and continuing for approximately one month. The section of path being closed is between SW 79th Avenue and SW Katherine Lane, adjacent to West Sylvan Middle School.

A signed detour will be in place during the nighttime closures, directly path users through the West Slope neighborhood. The detour will add approximately 4 minutes to the trip of a person on a bike averaging 10 MPH. The detour route includes more hills than the path.

On nights when work takes place, the path will close at 8 p.m. and reopen by 5:30 a.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. on Sundays.

The path will remain open during daytime hours, but will be narrowed to 3 feet minimum width to accommodate the work zone. An alternate option to avoid the work zone closure is to use Trimet’s MAX from the nearby Sunset Transit Center.

The closure area is part of a work zone for an ODOT RealTime project, which will provide real-time traffic information on roads to help travelers get where they’re going more safely and efficiently. The work adjacent to the path involves drilling foundations for a new electronic sign. For more information, visit www.odotrealtime.org.

Attached is a flier with more information, including a detour map. There will also be signs posted on the path. Feel free to get in touch with any questions.

Lili Boicourt, Community Affairs Coordinator
503-731-8247 (desk) | 503-731-3266 (fax)
Lili.D.Boicourt@odot.state.or.us

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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rick
rick
7 years ago

So stupid! As if riding on ODOT’s deadly TV Highway is pleasant? Semi-trucks frequently park in the bike lanes and medians of TV Highway !

El Biciclero
El Biciclero
7 years ago
Reply to  rick

This work is taking place on the MUP adjacent to Highway 26, near West Sylvan MS. That’s a crap detour, though.

El Biciclero
El Biciclero
7 years ago

The path is already narrowed to about three feet. Be very cautious going downhill, there is barely room to pass uphill bicyclists.

El Biciclero
El Biciclero
7 years ago
Reply to  El Biciclero

Huh. As of 4:30-ish PM Thursday, 12/1, the path was (I’m sure temporarily) restored to full width.

rick
rick
7 years ago

There is bike path access from the edge of the big parking lot by the evergreen trees.

Dan A
Dan A
6 years ago

I don’t see any mention in the ODOT release of the long-term changes to the path that took place. They have put up a new highway sign, announcing an exit off the highway, with the base of this sign installed directly in the path. The huge metal base of this permanent sign takes up HALF of the path, creating a brand new choke point for users of the path. Ridiculous.

ODOT is lying to us.

“there will be short-term impacts to the multi-use path along the south side of U.S. 26”

“The path will remain open during daytime hours, but will be narrowed to 3 feet minimum width to accommodate the work zone.”

“The work adjacent to the path involves drilling foundations for a new electronic sign. “