Traffic on SE Powell Blvd. used to have to stop to let the train pass before the underpass was built under the tracks. The public employee in the Plymouth didn’t seem to mind the delay but the woman behind him is not so happy. This view is to the west.
(City of Portland Archives)
Vintage Portland 
I recall my dad doing everything he could to avoid this area when a train was around!
The odd thing about it was that trains would often go through during rush hour.
I seem to remember that when they built the underpass (early 70s?), it was called “Ivancie’s folly.”
Growing up in this neighborhood was a real ” adventure ” in trying to avoid the Powell train backups. Seeing traffic stopped clear up to either S.E. 32st on East or end of Ross Island Bridge on the West led to the mad scramble of trying to get around the tie up on various other streets ( Brooklyn, Gideon, Bush, Lafayette, etc.,etc. ). As there were 4 tracks & no crossing gates it took some skill in first guessing which direction the train was coming and which of the 4 tracks it was on !!! Often it would be only a yard engine shifting boxcars around Brooklyn Yards with many forward & backward movements. The Southern Pacific was a “tough ” negotiator on the cost of building the underpass & I think the city passing an ordinance , led by Mayor Ivancie,limiting wait time on Powell to 15 minutes followed by civil fines for every violation forced the S.P. to the bargaining table. Several local ” favorites ” disappeared with the construction including ” The Throne ” tavern, etc. Great photo of the old neighborhood.
The Google street view car didn’t bother to follow the frontage road so there’s no way to be sure (without leaving the house) but is there anything left from that picture? It looks like everything has been torn down and replaced. http://g.co/maps/546g7
I think one of the houses is still there. It’s the westernmost house, above the Loomis van — the one with a beveled roof peak. It looks similar to the building now occupied by Oregon Roofing Company:
http://g.co/maps/7y943
Remember when you knew how your tax dollars were being spent when State workers all drove those super ugly Green Machines as this 1961 Plymouth.
We called them Public Servants in those days not Government Masters as they are today.
lol, a little off topic, but that plymouth is one UGLY car. I’d gladly take the Malibu SS next to it (which you can barely see)
This is a great example of how Portland use to work to reduce congestion bottlenecks, when we had a problem.
I have been to many neighborhood meetings and the politicians and planners now tell us, we have to get use to congestion, because they are not going to do anything to fix the problems.
Yes, the car is a horrific monstrosity. 1962 Plymouth as mentioned by Allen. And grimy. The fellow behind the wheel could be played by Kevin Costner today in the most boring film on earth. As for the woman behind him in the Ford..It seems that she may have an urgency going on.
The lady behind Mr. public servant is pretty decent looking. Looks like she is getting ready to light a cigarette. Either that, or she’s talking to herself! Doesn’t look too grumpy.
And, oh yes, I remember that weird light on 17th that had 4! lights on the traffic light, which was really unusual for me to see as a young (8 y.o.) kid.
That section became the first widening on Powell, up to 26th, Then 26th to 52nd in about 1975. 52nd – east came in about ’82. Am I fairly close on these dates?
I miss Pieri’s Deli!!!