SE 111th & Harold

Intersection

 

Current Focus Area:

The photos and videos below offer a snapshot of the behaviors we’re eager for you to address through traffic safety measures and smart street design.

  • 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.

  • 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.

In the middle of a sunny day in December of 2024, a car crashed through a neighbor’s fence.

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.

What happened?

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.

Looking for Solutions: NE 108th and Everett

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.

Pictured: Approaching a well-designed intersection: clear lane markings, vertical dividers, and illuminated signage guide drivers to slow down and navigate safely.

Looking for Solutions: 72nd & Holgate

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.

A Snapshot of 111th & Harold

Collisions in this area often cause significant damage to vehicles but, based on this data, appear to be underreported.

Security camera
footage of a collision
at 111th and Harold from
NOV 2020 (source)

Security camera
footage of
Harold & 111th in 
Oct. 2020 (source)

Footage of a crash
on SE Harold near 111th
in October of 2020

Example of illegal dumping
at 111th and Harold

 

Progress Update​

The vacant lot at the SE corner of the intersection is owned by the City of Portland and is currently part of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services Springwater Wetlands and Floodplain Restoration Project!

The Bureau of Environmental Services has completed the design phase of this project, and construction is in progress.

The birds-eye view shows a rough site plan from last October.

The vacant lot owned by the City of Portland.

Preliminary site plan from the Bureau of Environmental Services (Oct. 2022)

🗣️ Neighbors! We are expanding this page and need your input! 🗣️

Several of you have mentioned that 111th (Holgate to Foster) is a dangerous place to walk, bike, and even drive. We need your help to call attention to the specific problems you see on that street and specific solutions that you think would help (think inexpensive short term solutions AND more costly longer term solutions).

Please email us your photos, concerns, and ideas!

LentsNeighbors [at] gmail.com

PBOT Plans

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.

 
 

TSP Project Info

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