Portland Potholes: PBOT Launches New Gravel Streets Service

PORTLAND, OR – Does the pothole in the picture look familiar? Chances are that if you live or travel on one of the roughly 50 miles of unimproved gravel streets in Portland, the answer is a loud and clear yes.

The city is trying to do something about it.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is launching its new Gravel Street Service.

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Starting the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood in Southeast, the service is going to grade gravel the unimproved streets.

"It represents the best elements, and my favorite elements, of public service: listening to the community, developing a logical plan, and emphasizing safety," City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who oversees the bureau, says.

"We’re addressing a real need for Portland."

PBOT says they will do the work on a three-year cycle between the months of November and February, spending between $1 million and $1.5 million each year.

They says that they've already improved more than 72 segments out 300 in this neighborhood since they started work in November.

Next winter the bureau will finish Southeast and all of North and Northeast Portland.

In the winter 2020-21, they will tackle Southwest and Northwest Portland.

In 2021, they'll start a new three-year cycle.

Photo via PBOT.