The Portland Bureau of Transportation has not announced a bike lane opening on Northeast Halsey Street for tonight; the two-way protected bike lane project remains under construction through October 2026. However, the project took a visible step forward in July when green and white protective bike lane markings were applied during night painting operations in mid-July 2026 along the raised concrete cycling path between Jonesmore Street and 92nd Avenue. This northeast Portland corridor has been a priority safety project since July 2025, when construction began to transform a high-crash section into a protected cycling route. While the colorful markings now visible signal progress, the full project remains incomplete, with additional protective fencing, bridge striping, and vertical lane separation tentatively scheduled for October 2026.
Table of Contents
- What the NE Halsey Project Includes
- Current Status and Visibility
- Timeline and Next Steps
- Why This Project Matters for Northeast Portland Riders
- Frequently Asked Questions
What the NE Halsey Project Includes
The protected bike lane spans two miles between 80th and 92nd avenues on the south side of Northeast Halsey Street. The design features a two-way concrete-protected cycling path that separates bike traffic from car traffic, allowing bidirectional cycling within a single protected corridor.
This configuration differs from traditional bike lanes painted on the roadway—the concrete barrier is a physical protection layer rather than a line marking. The raised design creates a dedicated zone that buffers cyclists from passing vehicles, address the neighborhood's safety concerns along this heavily traveled street.
Current Status and Visibility
The colorful green and white markings now visible on the concrete path represent completed night work from mid-July 2026 that activated the raised infrastructure. These markings were applied using blowtorch methods to ensure durability on the concrete surface.
However, the project remains incomplete as of August 2026, with finish work scheduled for the fall. Cyclists and pedestrians currently passing through the corridor will see the colored concrete path in place, but the final protective elements—fencing posts and lane separation fixtures—have not yet been installed.
Timeline and Next Steps
Construction began in July 2025 with an estimated completion date of October 2026. The visible markings applied in mid-July represent progress on the concrete itself, but the project's final phase involves installing vertical separation elements that will make the protection more obvious to drivers and cyclists alike.
No specific opening date for the completed project has been announced by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Cyclists using this corridor should expect ongoing construction activity and may encounter temporary access adjustments as work continues through the fall.
Why This Project Matters for Northeast Portland Riders
Northeast Halsey Street has been identified as a high-crash corridor where vehicle-bicycle collisions occur at rates above the neighborhood average. The protected lane design addresses this safety gap by removing cyclists from the flow of car traffic entirely, rather than relying on painted lanes that offer no physical protection.
For riders commuting or traveling through the 80th-92nd avenue section, the complete project will provide a safer route once all phases are finished. Until then, the raised concrete path is accessible, though still under development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the bike lane now?
The concrete path is present and marked, but the project remains under construction. Final protective elements and vertical separation are still being installed.
When will the project be completely finished?
Completion is tentatively scheduled for October 2026, with no confirmed opening date announced yet.
Why was this project built?
NE Halsey between 80th and 92nd avenues is a high-crash corridor, and the protected bike lane design separates cyclists from vehicle traffic to improve safety.
