Much like a queen on a chessboard, pedestrians at the intersection of Northwest 11th Avenue and Couch Street can move both laterally + diagonally, in what is Portland’s only “pedestrian scramble.” The unique arrangement, which is also called a “Barnes Dance” after 20th-century traffic engineer Henry Barnes, halts all motor traffic to prioritize walkers, and was built to ease the heavy congestion outside of Powell’s Books.
In 2015, the City of Portland debuted the crossing with a performance from Oaky Doaks Square & Round Dance Club and other local square dancers. From initial confusion to general appreciation, the question now is where else in the city would this benefit?
