While certain blocks may be temporarily closed to auto traffic, businesses along 5th and 6th avenues are open during construction, as are sidewalks and parking lots. Street parking is now available on 5th and 6th avenues outside of construction zones. Your commuting decisions can help keep everyone moving during construction. Here are some smart travel ideas that will help put you in control of your commute:
To avoid evening rush-hour congestion, try leaving work earlier or later. In short, "Don't drive at 5." That could mean working a flexible schedule, or staying a while after work for appetizers with friends or for shopping and other errands. Watch for special events and “happy hour” discounts at participating restaurants, as well as incentives to work flex hours or telecommute. Need some ideas? Check out these Portland Mall project events and activities, plus fun things to do downtown at downtownportland.org.
In many cases, public transit may be your best bet for traveling to, from and around downtown Portland.
TriMet has made it a little easier to get on board. They offer convenient automated trip planning on their website, as well as real-time tracking of buses and MAX on the web and over the phone. TriMet's Frequent Service bus and MAX lines run every 15 minutes or better every day. Monthly passes are a great value, and all rides are free in the downtown Fareless Square area. If there's no stop near where you live, you can park for free at a nearby Park & Ride lot.
During construction, most TriMet and C-TRAN buses are running on 3rd and 4th avenues and Columbia and Jefferson streets downtown.
TriMet bus & MAX service info (trimet.org)
Portland Streetcar service info (portlandstreetcar.org)
C-TRAN (Vancouver & Clark County, WA) transit service info (c-tran.com)
Do you carpool? Try sharing the ride with friends, family or coworkers. You’ll ease congestion a bit for everyone, and you might even make some new friends. To get started, visit carpoolmatchnw.org.
You live in a region known for great biking. It's easy with online trip planning, convenient bike paths and available bike parking and lockers. Commuting by bike is great for your health—and your pocketbook, too. Start by visiting portlandonline.com or call 503-823-CYCL (2925). You can even bring your bike on buses and MAX: Visit trimet.org/bikes for details.
If you live nearby, walking to work gives you an opportunity to get to know your neighborhood, support local businesses and enjoy health benefits too.
Why not work from home, or give your employees the green light to do it? Studies show that telework helps employees get more done and feel better about their jobs, while companies save money.
Pedestrian access on 5th and 6th avenues remains open during construction. Construction moratoriums in the Central Mall during the winter holidays and in the North and Central Mall during Rose Festival will make pedestrian access even easier.
Expect increased congestion downtown during peak commute times (7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.). Lanes are open on 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and PSU, except in specified active construction zones. Please keep in mind that transit buses are temporarily using 3rd and 4th avenues and Columbia and Jefferson streets.
There are lots of easy and affordable parking options available downtown. And many downtown businesses provide discounts for parking in SmartPark garages.
Without buses on the Portland Mall, approximately 900 parking spaces can now fit on 5th and 6th avenues. These parking spaces move around as construction progresses, and crews are working to restore parking availability to each section as quickly as possible when light rail construction in a zone is complete. Look for the paystations in the center of the block and read any covered signs near marked spaces for exceptions. And remember, pay to park from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Loading/unloading zones for buildings along 5th and 6th avenues and 3rd and 4th avenues remain accessible to delivery vehicles.
View a map and description of current road closures and traffic impacts in downtown Portland, updated weekly.
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