The Oregon Department of Transportation and TriMet have completed their joint project to install new overhead lighting on the I-205 multi-use path. The project was paid for by a $4 million federal stimulus grant and the new lighting was installed from Lents to Gladstone in the southern portion of the 16.5 mile path.

Back in October, ODOT closed some portions of the path to finish up the work and they announced just last week that the entire path has now been re-opened (albeit with some construction crews still present on the trail tying up loose ends).



New trees, with I-205 path along the right.

(Photo: Toshio Suzuki)

The lighting project is just one part of a multi-pronged effort by ODOT to improve the popular path. They have also worked with non-profit Friends of Trees to “re-green” the corridor by planting thousands of trees and shrubs. That effort was funded by a $410,000 ‘Nature in Neighborhoods’ grant doled out by Metro. ODOT has also hosted bike rides on the path and solicited community feedback on problem spots and other priorities related to how the path can be improved.

A $50,000 planning study has also been commissioned that will result in an action plan and list of further improvements.

Learn more about ODOT’s efforts to improve the I-205 path on the project website.

The I-205 multi-use path is a crucial north-south corridor that runs 16.5 miles from Marine Drive to Gladstone. It was funded through Oregon’s “Bicycle Bill” which mandates that ODOT spends a minimum of 1% of new highway project funds on facilities for walking and biking.











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