N.E. 223rd Avenue between N.E. Halsey Street and Fairview Elementary now has a safer and more accessible route, whether you walk, bike or roll.
This was all part of Multnomah County’s N.E. 223rd Avenue Safe Routes to School Project.
The estimated $2.6 million project, funded through an Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School infrastructure grant and Multnomah County Transportation funds, was designed to create a safer route for students and families traveling to Fairview Elementary. Design began in June 2024 and construction of the majority of safety improvements wrapped up in October 2026. The project was first planned in 2022.
“This section of N.E. 223rd Avenue between Halsey Street and Fairview Elementary School was difficult to safely walk or bike to school, with no sidewalks or bike lanes,” County Project Manager Sara Jeffrey said. “Students and families now have a safer option to walk or bike to school with newly installed safety improvements.”
The project provided:
- Bike lanes on both sides of the road
- A west side sidewalk, connecting to Bridge Street
- Ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in areas that didn’t have any ramps before
- Upgrades to existing ADA ramps
- New street lighting
- Improved paving and new striping
- Signage upgrades along the corridor
In addition, work continues on constructing a stormwater quality facility on S.E. Harrison Street.
Leading with community
The community played a key role in helping shape this project. The improvements the County designed were based on direct feedback from the Fairview community through the City of Fairview’s Transportation System Plan, Multnomah County’s Road Capital Improvement Plan, Fairview Elementary School activities and community outreach.
This project demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to work in east Multnomah County. The improvements the County installed are directly tied to the consistent community feedback the County heard while developing the Transportation Safety Action Plan – people want to feel safe when walking and cycling on roads.
“East County needs these critical infrastructure improvements to create a safer commute for everyone,” District 4 County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon said. “This project, in addition to the future Safer Sandy and Main Streets on Halsey projects, is creating a safer transportation network for all users, giving our residents the option to walk, bike, or roll to school, work, the store and other destinations safely!”
Celebrating the work
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the County invited the community to a ribbon cutting at Handy Park alongside the corridor. Elected leaders, project staff, Fairview Elementary students and a cyclist shared remarks on how the safety improvements are creating a more accessible commute for everyone in the community.
Multnomah County maintains 269 miles of roads. For information, visit www.multco.us/roads.
