PORTLAND, Ore. -- An 18-day closure of a stretch of Northwest 23rd Avenue began Monday morning.

The well-traveled street will close between Everett and Glisan streets until Feb. 26 to allow for a reconstruction project.

Northwest 23rd Avenue is a popular shopping destination for many Portlanders. It features many locally owned restaurants and boutiques. During the closure, sidewalks will stay open and so will businesses. On-street and off-street parking will be available in the area.

"(You) just roll with the punches and try to be proactive in letting our customers know alternate ways to get here," said Jeremy Luedtka, who works at Restoration Hardware. "Employees are leaving early to get to work and we're just getting the word out that we do have parking."

During the closure, the street will be reconstructed and repaved. City officials said the Northwest 23rd Reconstruction Project will improve access for cars and pedestrians while preserving the city's water and sewer infrastructure.

Northbound drivers will take a detour toward Everett Street onto 22nd Avenue, then onto Glisan Street before returning to 23rd Avenue. Southbound drivers will detour toward Lovejoy Street onto Northwest 25th Avenue to Westover Street and back to 23rd Avenue.

The city recommends shoppers use the following parking lots:

• NW Flanders Street at 23rd Avenue
• NW Glisan Street at 23rd Avenue
• NW Irving Street at 23rd Avenue