NW 20th and Everett barriers on the table
Do they make us safer, or just get in the way?
The barriers at Northwest 20th and Everett streets, which prevent many neighborhood Fred Meyer shoppers from driving directly home, could be removed. City Councilor Eric Zimmerman has raised the issue, in part due to concerns from the Portland Police Bureau that officers are hindered pursuing cases due to the long detour necessitated.
Drivers heading north or west on 20th Avenue, many of them leaving the Fred Meyer parking garage, must first go east to 18th Avenue before heading toward their destination.
The diverters were installed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety at a difficult intersection where sight lines were partially obscured by a broad tree trunk near the corner. That tree has since been removed.
What do community members who lived with this intersection for years think should be done?
For years in discussions with the City, with PBOT, and with NWDA, I have advocated for all-way stop signs at NW 20th and NW Everett, as well as at NW 22nd and NW Everett. Traffic would slow down. The intersections would be safer.