July 3, 2009

Stimulus funds help repair, improve downtown streets and bus stops

Twelve jobs retained for work on 3rd and 4th avenues, Columbia and Jefferson

TriMet and the city of Portland are using $1.3 million of federal stimulus funds to repair damaged asphalt and install new bus stop pads in downtown Portland. Prep work began this week, with the primary construction getting under way Monday, July 6, and continuing into August.

The work includes the grinding and removal of damaged asphalt, removal of temporary curb extensions and placement of new asphalt along 15 of 21 blocks on 3rd Avenue from NW Glisan to SW Columbia and along 15 of 24 blocks on 4th Avenue from SW Lincoln to NW Davis. The repair work is needed after more than two years of wear and tear from buses using the streets during construction of the Portland Mall. The work on 3rd and 4th avenues will wrap up by July 24.

Ten concrete pads will be installed at bus stops on Columbia and Jefferson streets between Naito Parkway and 17th Avenue. The new pads will help make smoother, better connections to bus service for riders. Bus pad installation is expected to be complete by mid August.

Work is taking place Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will affect the right-hand travel lane and in some parking areas along these four streets. Flaggers will direct traffic around the work areas, but there should be minimal impacts to traffic.

Job retention

Federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) have allowed two new hires and prevented 10 layoffs among the contractor and five subcontractors working this project.

The contractor is Stacy and Witbeck/Kiewit Pacific Co. Subcontractors include Kodiak, Penhall, Raimore Construction, EZ Grade and Coat Flagging. Raimore Construction, EZ Grade and Coat Flagging are all part of TriMet’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.