SE 111th & Harold
Intersection
Help make Lents a safer place to walk and bike!
Intersection
Drivers frequently run stop signs, spin donuts, and honk aggressively at this intersection. These issues are not isolated to the intersection, and we believe that addressing 111th and Harold in all directions would improve overall safety in the neighborhood.
The speed cushions on Harold have helped, but many drivers dodge the cushions, move at high speeds, and still fail to stop at the stop sign. On 111th, where no speed cushions are in place, drivers frequently approach the intersection at unsafe speeds, fail to stop, and perpetuate a culture of aggressive and unsafe driving.
In December of 2024, A driver heading south on 111th recently crashed through a neighbor's fence at the intersection, causing significant damage to their property, including landscaping and a fence. Thankfully, in this event, no one was injured.
While the exact cause of the crash (whether distraction or impairment) is unclear, the incident highlights the need for street design improvements to keep our neighbors safe. Although the stop sign at this intersection is visible, the speeds at which drivers often travel down 111th make it dangerously easy to miss the sign during a momentary lapse in attention.
Roundabouts, combined with speed cushions on 111th, sidewalks, and a flashing red stop sign, could dramatically improve safety at Harold and 111th.
The intersection at NE 108th and Everett, which is located on a neighborhood greenway, makes use of two small roundabouts to slow traffic and improve safety. We believe that roundabouts, combined with speed cushions on 111th, sidewalks, and a flashing red stop sign, could dramatically improve safety at Harold and 111th.
We are hoping that PBOT will invest in these kinds of projects to help reduce speed on 111th and Harold. A flashing red stop sign and roundabouts in particular, will demand more attention from drivers, reducing the likelihood of missed stops.
Jonathan Maus/BikePortland reported on this type of roundabout here.
The intersection of Holgate and 72nd also shares some similarities with Harold and 111th, particularly in its offset layout and comparable road space. While Holgate and 72nd likely experience higher traffic volumes, crash data suggests that the frequency of incidents is approximately the same as at our intersection.
Additionally, the sidewalks and crosswalks at Holgate/72nd provide an added layer of safety for pedestrians and are a good reminder to slow down and look around.
Collisions in this area often cause significant damage to vehicles but, based on this data, appear to be underreported.
111th and outer Harold are on PBOT’s radar for improvement, but the design of the intersection, which requires more immediate action, may not be addressed by the TSP projects in the area.
111th area intersection is part of the following project:
Cherry Blossom/112th/111th Ped/Bike Improvements (80001): Design and implement pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Estimated timeframe: 1 to 10 years