If you ride on the Esplanade and the Springwater Corridor south of OMSI you know that there’s a ton of construction going.
In addition to the Big Pipe Project, ODOT is currently working on a $64 million project to replace the MLK/Grand Viaduct.
In the next few weeks, ODOT will establish an official construction zone around their project. In light of that designation, I just got an email from the Lieutenant of the Police Bureau Traffic Division about enhanced enforcement of stop sign and other violations in that area.
Here it is [emphasis mine]:
Starting around March 12th, we will begin enforcing the construction zone that is about to be established around the replacement of the MLK viaduct. This construction zone will extend to about a five block radius around the project and will include enforcement on Grand/MLK as well as the surface streets under the viaduct. (*see map below).
This will impact bicyclists as there is a high incidence of stop sign violations in the area around the viaduct involving bicyclists coming off of the spring water trail. Traffic Div officers will be citing all moving violations they encounter during this enforcement and I expect that will include bicyclists as well.
There is currently a high volume of construction traffic in this area…traffic volume will increase once work on the viaduct is fully underway.
Our officers will be patrolling the area extensively during this construction project as we want to encourage compliance with all traffic law in order to help ensure a safe work area.
Bicyclists need to be aware of this increased traffic and the enforcement that will be conducted. Safety in a construction zone is the responsibility of all road users and we will be putting in a strong police presence to encourage traffic law compliance.
*Here’s a map of the project area and approximate enforcement zone.
Please take this warning to heart when riding in that area.