Portage Street Lane Conversion
- Project scheduleLate summer/fall 2026
Portage Street between Cork Street and Stockbridge Avenue will receive pavement maintenance and a new street layout designed to improve safety and comfort for everyone who travels along this important corridor. The updated design aligns with the configuration of Portage Street north of Stockbridge, creating a more consistent and predictable experience for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
As part of this project, the existing four-lane street will be converted to a three-lane layout with one through lane in each direction, a center left-turn lane, and bike lanes on both sides. This change will help reduce crashes and calm traffic while maintaining efficient travel times for vehicles.
The project will also include new pedestrian safety improvements along the corridor, including solar-powered rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at Cambridge Drive, Roseland Avenue, Franklin Street, Lay Boulevard, Hays Park Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and Egleston Avenue. Additional improvements throughout the corridor will include median refuge islands, curb ramps, pedestrian lighting, pedestrian push buttons, decorative concrete pavement, permanent signing and pavement markings, and concrete curb and gutter work designed to improve accessibility and visibility for people walking and biking.
Additional roadway maintenance work, including overband crack fill and fog seal treatments, will help extend the life of the pavement and improve the overall condition of the corridor.
Together, these improvements will enhance safety, support walking and bicycling, strengthen connections between neighborhoods and local destinations, and help create a more welcoming and accessible Portage Street corridor.
Safety Benefits of a "Road Diet"
Converting a four-lane street into a three-lane layout (often called a “road diet”) is a proven way to make streets safer and more comfortable for everyone. This design reduces conflicts between vehicles, improves visibility for drivers and pedestrians, and provides dedicated space for people biking.
With one through lane in each direction and a shared center turn lane, vehicles turning left no longer block traffic or cause sudden lane changes. This reduces rear-end and sideswipe crashes, which are common on four-lane roads. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration show that road diets can reduce overall crashes by about 20 to 50 percent, while maintaining similar travel times for most drivers.
The addition of bike lanes and clearly marked crosswalks further separates different types of traffic, making it easier for everyone to see and predict each other’s movements. Mid-block crossings with pedestrian refuge islands and flashing beacons also make it safer for people to cross wide streets, especially in busy areas.