A grey, rainy day did not dampen the spirits of several hundred people who turned out on June 2 to celebrate the reopening of NE 223rd Avenue in the City of Fairview. The road had been closed for 17 months for a major widening and bridge replacement project led by Multnomah County. The complex $8 million project is one of the largest road projects in the county’s history.
The project replaced a narrow railroad bridge that had been a pinch point on a major north/south arterial. The road below was widened and shoulders/bike lanes and sidewalks were added. Along with recent improvements the county made at the intersection of NE 223rd Ave. and Sandy Blvd., the project will improve safety, help meet growing traffic demand, and improve access to developable lands and recreation areas north of Sandy Blvd. such as Blue Lake Park.
The street celebration included a picnic lunch, ribbon cutting, a classic car parade, a song by Fairview Elementary students, and remarks by Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel and other leaders from the region.