After being closed for nearly a year and a half, the recently widened NE 223rd Avenue in Fairview will reopen with a street celebration on June 2. Improvements include a new wider railroad bridge above the road, two wider traffic lanes, bike lanes/shoulders, and sidewalks.
The re-opening celebration will feature local speakers, including Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, Fairview Mayor Mike Weatherby, Metro Councilor Rod Park and others. Following the speakers, there will be entertainment from Fairview Elementary students, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a classic cars and public safety vehicles parade.
The Fairview-Rockwood-Wilkes Historical Society has also put together a historical exhibit of the road formerly known as Duck Lane. Since 1850, this road has been an important way to travel through East County, but before the $8 million project, the railroad undercrossing was too narrow for two large-sized vehicles to pass through in opposite directions.
See the photo below from before the project.
The widening of 223rd Avenue will help accommodate growing traffic through the area, improve safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and improve access to places north of Sandy Blvd., like Blue Lake Park.
The reopening celebration will take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on NE 223rd Avenue adjacent to Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2420 NE 223rd Ave. The historical exhibit will be on view the day of the celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Heslin House Museum, 60 Main Street, two blocks south of Smith Memorial Church.
223rd Reopening celebration
- 223rdreopening (43.79 KB)