City Notices: 82nd Avenue Construction Updates and Winter Health Advisories
Transportation and Infrastructure Alerts
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has issued updated construction notices for the "Building a Better 82nd" project. For the final weekend of January 2026, contractors will maintain active work zones along NE and SE 82nd Avenue. Travelers should expect significant delays and localized lane closures. Key impact areas include:
- NE Siskiyou to Russell: Maintenance hole adjustments and lane closures are in effect.
- NE Russell to Schuyler: Driveway and civil work will require turn restrictions.
- SE Division to SE Tibbetts: Traffic separator construction and sidewalk improvements are ongoing, limiting 82nd Avenue to one lane in each direction.
Additionally, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues seismic retrofitting and stormwater facility construction on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. Motorists should anticipate overnight lane closures on Northbound I-5 between the Burnside Bridge and the I-84 entrance ramp through the remainder of the 2026 winter season.
Public Health Advisories
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued several seasonal health reminders and advisories for the month of January:
- National Radon Action Month: Residents are encouraged to test their homes for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Testing kits are recommended as indoor levels often peak during the winter months.
- Respiratory Health: Flu transmission remains at high levels across the Portland metro area. Health officials urge residents to stay up to date on vaccinations as positive test rates have seen a sharp increase since early January.
- Cervical Cancer Awareness: January serves as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The OHA reminds the public that regular screening and HPV vaccinations are the most effective tools for prevention and early detection.
Water Bureau Construction: Bull Run Filtration
The Portland Water Bureau continues work on the Bull Run Filtration Project. Active pipeline installation will result in local access-only closures on Lusted Road between Altman Road and Hosner Road through mid-May 2026. Commuters in East Multnomah County are advised to use Hosner Road as a primary detour. These improvements are part of a federal mandate to have the new filtration system operational by 2027.
Community and Culture
The Portland Office of Arts and Culture has announced that the restored Abraham Lincoln statue is scheduled to return to the South Park Blocks in early 2026. After a multi-year restoration process following its removal in 2020, the statue will be reinstalled with new signage intended to provide historical context regarding the 16th president’s role in American history.