Due to constrained geography (the city is mostly located on the sides of a steep slope) and encroaching homes and businesses, the route is only a two-lane road in many stretches.

Soon afterwards, the highway enters the Johns Landing neighborhood, a narrow strip of homes, parks and businesses located between the river and Interstate 5, high on the hill above it.

The area is home to Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Portland offices and studios of Clear Channel Communications, as well as a local landmark, The Water Tower.

This old alignment of OR 212 still exists, running west along Willamette Falls Drive, just north of the bridge (and just south of the interchange with I-205), continuing on to Tualatin.

The Oregon Department of Transportation offered a $3.5 million payment to Clackamas County if it agreed to takeover a 6-mile (9.7 km) section of OR 43, but was rejected.