'No Crossing' Signs in Portland Limit the Public Way, Say Critics

"In Oregon we’ve had it drilled into our heads that 'every intersection is a crosswalk.' It turns out that’s not exactly true," write Catie Gould and Jonathan Maus. But in Portland, they say, "no crossing" signs have been installed at intersections throughout the city.

"These [signs] are used to give notice to road users that state or local statutes or ordinances exclude designated types of traffic from using particular roadways or facilities," note Gould and Maus. People can still cross at these intersections, but the signs then leave pedestrians responsible if a crash occurs.

They add that the City of Portland and the Oregon Department of Transportation are putting up the signs, but the closure decisions are being made without public input. Critics say that while the signs are legal, the reasons for eliminating crosswalks are not always clear and restricting public access to roadways need better justifications.