Clean up is part of $20 million graffiti abatement and trash investment, a recommendation from the Portland Central City Task Force

On Sunday morning, Governor Tina Kotek joined the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Multnomah County, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Metro, TriMet and Union Pacific Railroad during the state’s overnight clean-up efforts on the I-84 freeway at Sullivan’s Gulch in Portland.

The clean up is a result of a $20 million investment from the state legislature to increase ODOT efforts to remove graffiti, clean up trash, and protect critical infrastructure within the central city following recommendations from the Portland Central City Task Force.

“Portland’s livability is a part of its trademark. It’s drawn people to Oregon for decades, and it requires collaboration at all levels of government, the private sector, and community partners to look after and sustain,” Governor Kotek said.

“That means picking up the damn trash! And that’s exactly what we did this weekend with results you can see. I’d like to thank everyone who made this work possible, and there’s still more to do. I urge Oregonians to be a part of the solution. There’s no shortage of opportunities to volunteer to clean up the city.”

Below are volunteer opportunities to clean up the city. Sign up today!

- Volunteer | SOLVE (solveoregon.org)

- Community cleanup resources | Portland.gov

“Oregonians want safe, clean neighborhoods where they can live, work, and raise a family,” Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham) said. “Right now, the trash and graffiti on our streets make it difficult for people to see the incredible opportunities Portland has to offer. This major initiative to clean up I-84 is proof that when we work together, we can deliver real change for our communities.”

“I’ve been keeping a close eye on how these investments are being used and I’m grateful ODOT is aggressively addressing the eyesores and trash along our roadways,” Representative Travis Nelson (D-Portland), said, who joined ODOT last month to assist in cleanup and see first-hand how Oregon taxpayer dollars are being put to work on cleaning up the region. “While I am happy with the quick and aggressive cleanup, we must do more to hold those who litter and spray graffiti on public property accountable.”

A five-mile stretch of Interstate 84 was closed in both directions to rail and highway traffic overnight from 11 p.m. Saturday, July 13 to noon Sunday, July 14 for graffiti cleaning and trash removal between I-5 and I-205. Prior to the clean up, the area had among the most visible, and highest volume of trash and graffiti in Portland. The coordinated effort by six agencies -- ODOT, Union Pacific Railroad, TriMet, PBOT, Metro and Multnomah County -- brought together upwards of 150 workers. The workers joined private contractors to remove trash and clean graffiti along the corridor, starting from west to east. The Governor met with and personally thanked the workers and participated in the clean up by painting over a graffiti covered wall herself.

ODOT collected 258 bags of garbage and 1,060 pounds of litter. Metro’s RID Patrol crews removed garbage from along the railroad tracks between Northeast Martin Luther King Blvd. and Northeast 28th St. between July 10 through 12. Over the course of the three days, crews removed or 9,760 pounds of garbage. PBOT reported painting 70,000 square feet during the overnight closure. Other metrics are still being collected.

Sullivan’s Gulch, named after Timothy Sullivan, an early farmer in the area, is now the biggest transportation corridor on Portland’s east side, home to Union Pacific’s main freight rail line and TriMet’s light rail in addition to I-84.

For additional photos and videos from the clean up, click here.