In a letter sent out this morning to subscribers of his email newsletter, City Commissioner Sam Adams summed up PDOT's budget woes and made some final statements on the defunct Sauvie Island Bridge re-use plan (I think the statement will also be published as an Op-Ed in the Oregonian but haven't confirmed that yet).

In the letter, Adams writes that the combination of high fuel prices, the increasing cost of materials and declining Gas Tax revenue (because Oregonians are driving less) has created a "massive new transportation challenge facing our City."

According to Adams, PDOT is facing a $2.7 million "current service budget hole for the fiscal year starting in July [2008]." Here's what the letter said about how that gap will effect about 40 projects in PDOT's pipeline:

"...the skyrocketing cost of oil has put existing estimates for transportation projects out-of-whack... Most of these projects used inflationary cost estimates that have proven to be low. Higher costs for petroleum–based materials like asphalt and tar and for materials that take lots of energy to produce like concrete and steel mean higher project costs."

Adams then writes that he'll ask City Council "to fill the $2 million budget shortfall for next year."

He also explained that the new budget "blows a $30 to $40 million hole" in his Safe, Sound, and Green Streets Initiative that he'll put in front of voters in November.

And in what will perhaps be his final comments on the Sauvie Island Bridge reuse project, he re-iterated that he doesn't feel confident "we can bring this in at the $5.5 million I have promised" and he adds that, "I will continue to pursue the construction of a new cheaper bridge over I-405 within the next three to five years."

Then, he directly addresses Mayor Potter's criticisms of the project (emphasis mine);

"But I want to make some comments about the bridge project before we leave the issue.

The recycling of the Sauvie Island bridge was sadly--and unnecessarily--ensnared by political gamesmanship that did no credit to the critics, and obscured an important issue for the public.

Last week, Mayor Tom Potter wrote an opinion article in these pages saying that we don't need a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over I-405 at Flanders Street. Mind you, this is a project that he voted for on 4 separate occasions. In fact, over the last six years two city councils have voted for this numerous times.

But in his article, Mayor Potter argues that the West Burnside and Northwest Everett and Glisan streets are safe and that bikers and walkers in Northwest Portland do not need a bridge dedicated only to them across the I-405 ditch.

That's flat out wrong. The West Burnside, Glisan and Everett streets injure and kill more bikers and walkers than any other street corridor in Portland: 280 injured and 15 dead over the past nine years. And I believe the Mayor was also wrong to use this issue to pit one part of Portland against the other...

...A bike and pedestrian crossing at NW Flanders has always been about safety. And while recycling the Sauvie Island Bridge may not be the means, I am committed to finding a safe way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross I-405. I have asked transportation to study potential improvements we could make with little cost to address safety issues in the Burnside/Everett/Glisan corridor in the short term.

-- Read the full letter here.

-- More on PDOT's action plan for dealing with this budget situation can be found at CommissionerSam.com.

"If I was not running for Mayor and challenging City Hall’s spending, my opponent would have continued to ram-rod this pet project through"
--Sho Dozono

Not surprisingly, Commissioners Adams' opponent in the race for mayor, Sho Dozono, has issued a statement in response to Adams' decision to pull the plug on the plan to re-use the Sauvie Island Bridge span as a bike/ped bridge in Northwest Portland.

Here's the statement (emphasis mine):

"For the sake of the taxpayers I am pleased that my opponent came to his senses and ended the Sauvie Island Bridge project. This proposal is the most recent, in a long list of projects that are completely out of synch with the City’s core priorities. If I was not running for Mayor and challenging City Hall’s spending, my opponent would have continued to ram-rod this pet project through,” Dozono said.

“With recent media accounts of the $18.5 million cost overrun to the city’s new payroll computer system and the doubling of the cost of the Eastside Streetcar Burnside/Couch Couplet project, Sam Adams knew that spending $5.5 million on a bridge for the Pearl District and NW Portland was not going to make Portland taxpayers happy,” Dozono said.

“I have consistently communicated my opposition to the Sauvie Island Bridge project. I support safe alternative for pedestrians and cyclists. There are so many other pressing priorities such as safe sidewalks for all of Portland’s school children and the lack of affordable housing for Portlanders who are one paycheck away from losing their homes,” Dozono said.

“Commissioner Sam Adams indicated that his “flip-flop” on the Sauvie Island Bridge project is due to rising energy prices. How can anyone not be aware of rising gas prices? Since the beginning, Commissioner Adams has manipulated City Hall to spend money on his projects without the scrutiny of the general public,” Dozono said.

“Portlanders have the opportunity to send a clear message to Sam Adams, one that says you want a City Hall that is accountable to taxpayers. As Mayor, I will focus the City on providing core services to Portlanders,” Dozono said.

“My campaign is focused on prioritizing spending. I have promoted a rainy day fund to weather downturns in the economy. I have proposed a $50M set aside specifically for infrastructure and public safety so that core services will not face budget cuts in budget-cutting years. I have the experience to lead in challenging economic times."

Just to be clear, in addition to uneasiness about the cost estimates of the Sauvie project (and all of PDOT's projects) due to higher fuel prices, Adams made it clear in his press conference this morning that his decision to pull the plug had to do with how those higher prices would impact the competitive bid portion of the project.

$3.9 million from the total project estimate of $5.5 million was at a "guaranteed maximum price" that the contractor (Kuney Construction) could not go over (or they'd have to pay the difference). The remaining part of the project would have gone to the lowest bidder.

What Adams said is that given how high fuel prices are making projects like this more expensive, he did not think that those bids would come back at $1.6 million or less — which is the difference between his stated estimate of $5.5 and the $3.9 guaranteed max to Kuney.

Read more commentary and coverage of Dozono's statement at the Willamette Week and the Portland Mercury.

In a cramped meeting room in his office a few minutes ago, Commissioner Adams explained how rising gas prices have impacted PDOT's transportation budget and that the Sauvie Island Bridge span reuse project is the first casualty.

Standing next to PDOT Director Sue Keil, Adams said rising fuel prices have given PDOT a "double hit" and that the situation has forced them to "rethink how we spend our money."

As expected, Adams also addressed his decision to halt plans to install the Sauvie Island Bridge span in Northwest Portland. He expressed some of the same sentiments he shared with me last night.

It was a cozy press conference.

Adams re-iterated that PDOT numbers show the Burnside/Everett/Glisan corridor is very unsafe and he said he still disagrees with Mayor Potter's assertions (made in an Oregonian editorial) to the contrary.

"I disagree with Mayor Potter's editorial that [this corridor] is safe and I disagree with him when he says it [the bridge] is not needed."

According to Adams, the latest estimates from ODOT show that Portland has a new $2 million decrease in Gas Tax revenue, in addition to a $700,000 hole PDOT had already estimated back in October. That $2.7 million gap means PDOT will now undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their spending.

Director of PDOT, Sue Keil

PDOT Director Sue Keil said part of that evaluation will include cost-saving measures across the bureau. She mentioned PDOT will review vacant position to determine essential hires, restrict discretionary spending, look for productivity improvements, and "examine opportunities to reduce fuel consumption" among their vehicle fleet.

Keil said this current funding crisis is not new and that PDOT has already been cutting costs in recent years. "This is not about simply cutting fat... this is serious stuff," she said.

A member of the media asked Adams how disappointed he was in the Sauvie span decision and he replied, "I do it with a heavy heart...because of the human tragedy [that occurs in that corridor]..."

On that note, Adams said he's going to try and keep the $500,000 in general transportation funds from the Sauvie span project and use it to make improvements to the Burnside/Couch Corridor.

When asked if there was any way the Sauvie span project could still happen, Adams said, "No. It's dead and buried. It will be scrapped."

--More coverage of the press conference on the Portland Mercury blog.

"I don't feel comfortable moving forward at this point."
--Commissioner Sam Adams

City of Portland Commissioner Sam Adams will announce tomorrow (5/7) that he will pull the plug on a plan to re-use the Sauvie Island Bridge span as a bicycle and pedestrian crossing over I-405 in Northwest Portland.

The decision comes on the eve of a City Council vote on the project and it was made because of a new report from the Oregon Department of Transportation that paints a bleak funding picture for City of Portland transportation projects. According to state figures, a perfect storm of high fuel prices, less miles being driven, and less gas tax revenue coming back to the city, has caused an even greater funding shortfall than expected just a few months ago.

Commissioner Adams
(Photo © J. Maus)

In a telephone conversation earlier tonight, Adams told me that, "We got updated forecasts from the state that PDOT is an additional $2 million in the hole due to reduced mileage which has affected gas tax proceeds that flow back to the city."

The Sauvie span re-use project did not rely on gas tax revenue directly, but Adams added that, "on the other side of the equation, the implication of high fuel prices is that all of our projects that are energy intensive to build are coming in higher than anticipated."

Because of this new report, Adams says he "can't provide reasonable assurance" that the Sauvie span project could be completed within the guaranteed maximum price of $5.5 million, adding "I don't feel comfortable moving forward at this point."

"It's a great project... it's very sad to make this announcement, but I just can't provide the assurance."

Adams says he's already contacted Max Kuney (the owner of the bridge and presumptive contractor for at least one portion of the project) to let him know PDOT will not be moving forward with the project.

A new bridge still might be coming to NW Flanders, and Adams says he'll "proceed with the vision" as part of the Burnside-Couch Couplet plan, but according to Adams that bridge is at least "2-4 years out" (the Sauvie span was scheduled to be installed by Spring 2009).

Adams says he will ask PDOT to do an assessment of the area around NW Flanders and I-405 and he still plans to make safety improvements. "They wouldn't provide the same benefits as the bridge," he said, "but we'll try to do as many cheaper/safer improvements in the corridor as we can."

So, instead of a vote that would have authorized the start of the Sauvie Island bridge re-use project, PDOT will instead hold a news conference tomorrow morning at City Hall to announce its demise and share further information about the impact of rising gas prices on their budget.

More to come tomorrow...

===

-- Learn more about the Sauvie Island Bridge re-use saga in the archives.

Adams making his case to City Council.
(Bad phone photo)

City Council is poised to hear an ordinance this morning that will authorize PDOT to "enter into a contract with Max J. Kuney Construction, owner of the old Sauvie Island Bridge, to rehabilitate, relocate and acquire the old Sauvie Island Bridge center span for the purpose of moving it to NW Flanders St over I-405."

I'll start with a brief update on the project followed by some live reporting (below) once the proceedings begin.

Following the official announcement last week that Commissioners Sam Adams, Randy Leonard, and Dan Salztman had come to an agreement on how to move the project forward (and thus assuring a majority vote on Council), criticism about the project has continued from fronts old and new.

A slide from a presentation given by Commissioner Adams today
(Download full report here - 6MB, PDF)

Since it seems clear that the Sauvie span will be re-used (versus building a new bridge), arguments against the project have shifted to whether or not Portland needs a bridge at that location at all. The criticisms now seem to be focused on how this new bridge stacks up against other priorities.

Mayor Tom Potter has dug in with his opposition to the plan by releasing a statement on his website and penning an editorial in the Oregonian titled, It's not about bridges -- it's about fairness.

City Council hopeful Amanda Fritz -- who many would consider a bike-friendly candidate -- has also raised skepticisms about the project. In a blog post (and also in response to a question at the Candidates Gone Wild event) she has taken Mayor Potter's line of fiscal responsibility for questioning the idea. On her blog Fritz wrote, "I believe Portlanders who live in areas with few sidewalks, bike lanes, or paved streets, deserve basic urban services first."

Local blogger Jack Bogdanski has raised questions about how PDOT will manage the traffic engineering considerations (like new traffic signals at Flanders) raised by the installation of a new bridge. Read his post and take note of my comments in response at the end.

On the fundraising front, over 120 people showed up to the Pinot Pedal last weekend. NW Portland business owner Jeremy Saville helped put on the event as a fundraiser for the Flanders Crossing project and he said they raised $3,000 from the event. That would go with several other checks that have been written by other local businesses... More on the private fundraising situation later... the proceedings on the ordinance are starting right now...(refresh page for updates).

==========

Flanders Crossing Project at City Council

Commissioner Adams will present a powerpoint on the project (download Adam's presentation (6MB, PDF)). He's speaking now and several large posterboards have been set up.

Amy Ruiz from the Portland Mercury has put Adams' presentation on YouTube. Watch it below:

"I'm here with another non-controversial, low-profile project. [everyone laughs.] Since becoming Transportation Commissioner my pet project has been to save lives. The system is unsafe because it has been vastlu underfunded. There are some who object other project... based on fairness and equity... fairness and equity are things I have to deal with everyday.. it is a gruesome task for the City Council where we have to decide where to make investments not where people are being killed and injured, but hwere the most people are being killed or injured.

I assume the objections are made with good intentions and a desire to make fact-based spending decisions...

Based on statements I have read and/or watched in the media I would have objected to this project as well.

Adams is now giving a slide presentation. Download it here (6mb PDF).

The Frequently Asked Questions section of his presentation was interesting. Here are a few of them:

"Isn’t Council considering asking voters to approve a $450 million fee to pay for basic maintenance for our crumbling streets?"

•An important part of the Safe, Sound and Green Streets proposal are vital safety improvements. Like the Flanders Crossing Project, the SSGS proposal will save lives.
•Portland’s maintenance backlog is significant and grows by $9 million every year due to inflation alone.

====

“Don’t our transportation priorities start in East Portland?”

Most of PDOT’s One-Time General Fund Safety Projects are east of 72nd, Powell and Foster.

•76% of One-time funds for high crash locations
•73% of One-time funds for pedestrian safety projects 4 of 5
new red light cameras east of 82nd
•$1.5 million spent on signal safety project on 122nd
•100% of one-time funds for ADA curb ramps

===

Why do you spend so much money on bikes?

•0.7% of PDOT’s capital budget is for cycling improvements.
•6% of Portlanders use bikes as primary commute vehicle. Another 10% cycle as their secondary commute.
•The payoff is huge for public health, air quality, traffic congestion and the civic pocketbook.

===

“If crossing at Everett or Glisan isn’t good, why can’t cyclists and pedestrians just cross underneath the freeway at Johnson?”

For someone walking or bicycling on Glisan or Everett, using Johnson would mean traveling an extra six to ten blocks. They don’t do it now and they won’t do it in the future.

Crash data from Burnside, Everett and Glisan show that cyclists are more likely to stay on the high conflict streets rather than divert to other streets.

For cycling and walking to be effective modes of transportation, it has to be convenient, intuitive and safe.

===

Presentation is over and now questions are coming into Adams from Council.

Saltzman asks Adams about funding sources.
--Adams says PDC's $2 million will be decided by May 23rd and that "We won't be starting any work on this until all the money is in hand."

Potter asks about funding as well.
"At this point I see no private funding coming through"... and he says he thinks it's inaccurate that Adams has claimed the PDC money and the SDC money can't be spent in other places.
--Adams tells Potter that he approved twice a list of SDCs that had this project on it. As for PDC Urban Renewal funding, Adams says the Council would have .. As for private fundraising..."We've never relied on significant private fundraising in our thinking on our project...we will using private fundraising only to install lighting on the bridge." He mentioned how they've always considered the fact that the River District prioritized the project for funding as a sign of private fundraising.

=====
Now the public testimony has started.

Scott Bricker (BTA Exec. Director)
- He mentions that the Transportation Enhancement money ($1 million from ODOT) is from a special, discretionary pot that is only used for time-sensitive, historic, iconic projects like this one.

Patricia Gardner (NW Neighborhood Associaition).
-We've been voting for a crossing at Flanders since 2002...we're up to four votes for this in the past two years. We've been pushing really hard to get this to happen. It's a bigger vision. She says when people move to the Pearl people sell their cars and start biking and walking and "we need to make that experience better".

Catherine Ciarlo (former BTA head honcho -- was on Burnside-Couch committee when the Flanders Crossing was first promised)
- She is talking about how the bridge will connect the city. "The central city belongs to all of us... we'd like to visit it by foot and by bike."

Susie Kubota (Aunt of Tracey Sparling)
- She is directing her testimony directly to Mayor Tom Potter based on his editorial in the Oregonian. She drove out to NE Cully to see the infamous stretch of sidewalk that Potter has referred to. She said his comments in the Oregonian were misleading.

Nelson Abeels (NW Portland business owner for 16 years)
- He is testifying in support of the bridge. Says the idea came from the community. "We will raise money, we will raise funds once this project gets going. There are many businesses ready to give money to this project."

Jeanne Harrison (Willamette Pedestrian Coaltion)
-In support of the project

James Lee (running for Mayor)
- He opposes the project
- Requests that this ordinance be withdrawn because Kuney has given no warranty that the bridge is structurally safe. Says the bridge won't meet seismic standards... "You don't know what Kuney is giving us." Withdraw project until project plans have been laid out in a report so citizens can form a judgment on the project.

John Reinhold (SE Portland resident)
- In support of the project.
- There are thousands of children and schools, churches, and parks directly West of this location... He thinks it's "disingenuous" to say we shouldn't do this project to build sidewalks for East Portland

Terry Parker (citizen activist)
- Opposed to the project
- (He's talking very fast) "Using backroom deals for a special-interest transport frill." "Bicycle safety must start with the bicyclists themselves that should start with an attitude change"..."Pearl district developers want this bridge"... "Freeloading bicycle community should pay for it."

Chris Wirth (East Portland resident)
- He opposes the project. In theory he supports the idea, but worries that disparities will continue in East Portland.

Dorothy Gage (Community activist)
- She's opposed to the process.
- This is reminiscent to me of the Tram travesty. She wants Council to go back to the drawing board.

MaryAnne Fitzgerald (SW Portland resident)
- She is opposed to the project because SW has priorities too.

Mary Roberts (NW 10th and Johnson resident)
- In support of the project.

Jeremy Grand (SW resident)
- Opposes it...not because it's a bad project, but because there are other priorities he wants in SW Portland.

Rick Potestio (a biker, walker, founder of Cross Crusade cyclocross racing series and SW resident)
- He opposes the project.
- "Given, all we must do to build on our Platinum cycling rating... I question why this project has received such priority." He doesn't feel Flanders is a vital link between the neighborhoods. He brings up the traffic engineering implications of a new intersection at Flanders...Instead of Flanders, he wants improvements on Everett and Glisan.

Doug Strickler
- Supports the project.

SW Portland resident
- Opposes the project based on other needs in SW Portland.

===

Testimony is over. Now Leonard is making a comment:

Leonard says listened to the Platinum news on OPB today and thought it was sad because today is a day we should be celebrating making a statement about.

"I view this project as not an east Portland versus West Portland, or not an all-Portland vs. the Pearl, but rather a piece of a complicated, complex infrastrcuture that will create byways and throughways for bicyclists. No one can out East-Portland me...I grew up in East Portland. I knew what the transportation problems are in east Portland.

Some may accuse me for being cynical for this...but I suggest we're having this division [in our city] because of politics...I learned it is really easy to galvanize people by speaking to their fears and to their suspicions. It is not responsible in my view to do so. That is the context I have viewed this debate.

This debate should be a unifier in our community, not dividing East Portland and SE Portland from the Pearl in order to make political points. It's not fair, it's not right, and we all deserve better."

Saltzman is now speaking.
He is curious about the seismic warranty issue brought up a testifier. A PDOT engineer is testifying and reports that there are no structural flaws found in the bridge. The bridge is in "very good condition". "The seismic issue has been addressed as well."

Saltzman: Does that inspection equal a warranty?
PDOT engineer: "No it does not. We will look into that."

Adams closes:

"As Transportation commissioner I'm trying to instill a more disciplined approach to dealing with needs around the city. All of the investments are intended to make the system safer...when they do get safer we can move down the list. We will always have a list, we will always be working on it. When SW Portland needed something, I fought for it, when East Portland needed something I fought for it. You could point to any of those projects and argue that another part of town wasn't getting their fair share."

That's it for today.

This was the "first reading" of the ordinance and it will be voted on next week (5/7). Stay tuned.

Commissioner Sam Adams held a press conference today to officially launch Flanders Crossing: Sauvie Island Bridge Relocation Project.

The event was an attempt to clarify the proposal for the project that will be voted on by City Council next week, to outline why the the project is necessary, and to demonstrate that it has the support of neighborhood residents, business owners, bicycle advocates, and a majority of City Commissioners.

Joining Adams at the event in support of the project were several speakers including Commissioner Randy Leonard, Susie Kubota (Tracey Sparling's aunt), Scott Bricker (head of the BTA), Roger Geller (PDOT bicycle coordinator), Reuel Fish (Northwest Portland business owner), and Paul Notti (a Southeast Portland resident).

(Photos © J. Maus)

Adams began the event by laying out statistics that back up his position that the area around NW Flanders Street is in dire need of safety improvements.

PDOT staff passed out a 14 page document with 26 slides that outlines the reasons for completing the project now. The document lays out the case for re-using the Sauvie Bridge span and it includes slides on safety, the funding picture, achieving our environmental goals, creating adequate bike facilities, and more.

You can download the entire document here (925k PDF).

A slide from a packet that was handed out at the event today. Download it here (925K PDF)

Adams stressed that his track record as Transportation Commissioner has always put safety as the highest priority and he explained that a new crossing at Flanders has been approved by City Council three times since 2002.

In an effort to respond to critics of the plan, Adams said, "I want to make this absolutely crystal clear -- 90% of the funding for this project can't be used for basic maintenance." He also stressed that (referring to the contract language), "If it [the bridge span] sinks into the river or falls over onto the freeway, the responsibility is on the contractor."

City Commissioner Randy Leonard

Commissioner Randy Leonard didn't mince his feelings about Mayor Potter's criticisms of the plan. He told the crowd he was, "extremely disappointed that Potter would divide Portlanders...into the lowest common denominator in order to further the political interests of his friend who is running for mayor."

"From where I sit," said Leonard, "his [Mayor Potter's] actions couldn't be any more disingenuous."

Calling Potter's conduct, "One of the most deeply disappointing experiences of my entire public life," Leonard said the event should be "a celebration" of what Adams is doing for bicyclists and pedestrians. Leonard said the Flanders crossing is a matter of "equity" -- a project that will give Northwest residents the same "unmolested [from cars]" biking opportunities that outer Southeast Portlanders (like himself) enjoy on the recently completed Three Bridges on the Springwater Corridor.

BTA chief Scott Bricker said
the new crossing would make it much
safer for his family (behind him)
to join him for lunch downtown.

Another Southeast Portland resident, Paul Notti, said he supports the project because it's his dream to ride with his family from their home in Westmoreland to the shops on Northwest 23rd.

Susie Kubota, the aunt of Tracey Sparling (who was killed just blocks from the Flanders site back in October) was joined at the microphone by Sparling's mom Sophie. Kubota called on Mayor Potter to make the Flanders Crossing the part of his legacy. Referring to it as a possible, "action item in his VisionPDX project," that would be a "lasting symbol of consensus," she said the crossing could be the "keystone piece" of the Flanders Bike Boulevard.

Kubota reminded the crowd that Sparling worked at Saint Cupcake, a cafe which is just one block west of I-405 on Flanders Street and that she would have used the crossing if she were alive today.

At the end of the press conference, Adams was asked by an OPB reporter about Potter's recent statement in opposition to the project. Adams said Potter has voted in favor of funding a crossing at Flanders three times since 2002 and that, "only now in campaign season are we hearing these objections."

========
More info:
-- Download PDOT's new Sauvie Island Bridge Relocation Project presentation (14 pages, 925K, PDF)

Portland Mayor Tom Potter has issued a statement clarifying his opposition to the plan to re-use the Sauvie Island Bridge span as a human-powered vehicle crossing over I-405 in Northwest Portland.

Perhaps wanting to build some momentum for his position -- which will make him the lone dissenter to the plan when it comes up to City Council next week -- Potter renewed his previous arguments against the project, and he shared a new one.

Here's the short statement posted to his website yesterday (emphasis mine):

"The debate isn’t about sustainability, our commitment to bicyclists and pedestrians, or safety. The debate is about our priorities and how we spend at least $5.5 million when our streets need basic maintenance, and some neighborhoods still can’t get sidewalks built.

This bridge will give the Pearl District three overpasses in a three-block span - while Cully still waits for sidewalks. And while one accident anywhere is one accident too many, the N.W. Flanders site is not on PDOT’s list of dangerous intersections for either autos, bikes or pedestrians."

We've heard the arguments in that first paragraph before and the facts (about funding) they allude to have been refuted here, in the Portland Mercury, and by the BTA.

But it's Potter's new argument, in the last sentence, that's interesting.

Potter states that NW Flanders is not on PDOT's list of dangerous intersections. That is true. NW Flanders is a lower-volume, lower-speed street compared to its ugly cousins -- Everett and Glisan. However, that's precisely why the street has been pegged as a future bicycle boulevard.

The Glisan overcrossing one block North of Flanders. Not exactly bike boulevard material.

In addition, Potter's claim that, "the N.W. Flanders site" isn't on the dangerous intersection list doesn't compute because the site in question isn't even an intersection (yet).

Potter's statement seems to make it clear that he's not necessarily opposed to the re-use idea, but that he's opposed to any human-powered traffic crossing at Flanders now or in the future (or at least until East Portland gets a few more sidewalks, but by that time he'll have pedaled his recumbent off into the sunset).

Despite the fact that a broad coalition of neighborhood advocates say they need a safe and comfortable bike and pedestrian crossing at that location, Potter himself has voted in favor of funding one.

In 2002, when the NW Flanders bike boulevard (which included a bike/ped only crossing over I-405) came up as a compromise in the Burnside-Couch couplet project, Potter voted in favor of the idea.

Back in November, a list of specific projects to be funded by Transportation System Development Charges came before City Council ($2 million of the Sauvie project's $5.5 million budget will come from TSDCs).

Included on that list was the following line item: "NW Flanders Bicycle Facility - Develop a bicycle and pedestrian crossing of I-405." Potter voted yes back then, but now it seems like he's changed his mind.

======

-- Commissioners Adams, Leonard, and Saltzman will hold a press conference in Northwest Portland today (4/25) to announce their plan to make this project happen. More event details here.

-- For more on the Sauvie Islan Bridge/Flanders Street Crossing story, read my archives. Also check out my Sauvie Span Newswire -- a list of links to local media coverage of the story (including today's extensive article in the Portland Tribune).

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Tom Miller, 503-823-1121
April 23, 2008 Or: Shoshanah Oppenheim, 503-823-1125

ADAMS, LEONARD, AND SALTZMAN FILE ORDINANCE TO ACQUIRE AND RELOCATE SAUVIE ISLAND BRIDGE

(PORTLAND, OR) – The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) announced today that City Commissioners Sam Adams, Randy Leonard, and Dan Saltzman will together file a City Ordinance that authorizes the City to acquire the center span of the Sauvie Island Bridge and relocate it from its current location to Northwest Flanders Street.

The relocation will occur in two phases. Phase One will include four action items:
-- Deconstruct the center span from its current location;
-- Barge the span upriver the Willamette River to the Port of Portland’s Terminal 2;
-- At T2, strip the span of its lead-based paint and repaint; and
-- Move the span from T2 to NW Flanders Street and install it for use.

Phase Two will include three action items:
-- Prepare the site at NW Flanders;
-- Construct the bridge foundations; and
-- Install a traffic safety signal.

Phase One will be completed by the bridge’s current owner, Max J. Kuney Construction, for a guaranteed maximum price of $3.913 million. Kuney will incur any unforeseen cost increases, if they arise. Phase Two will be competitively bid out to the lowest qualified bidder.

The ordinance directs the City to enter into contract with Kuney Construction upon receipt of all funds necessary to complete the project, projected to be June 25. Total project costs are estimated to be $5.5 million. Sources include $2 million from Transportation System Development charges; $2 million from River District Urban Renewal Tax Increment Funds; $1 million in Transportation Enhancement funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation; $500,000 from the City’s general fund as part of the Safe, Sound & Green Streets program; and private donations.

The City’s Bureau of Purchasing has determined that a sole source contract with Kuney Construction is the only way to complete the complex Phase One work. Kuney owns the bridge, acquired through a competitive bid process from Multnomah County for the project to replace the Sauvie Island Bridge. Kuney has invested months of work into the bridge replacement project. In so doing, they have unique knowledge about the bridge and how to move it. Transfer of the bridge to another contractor would entail additional expense and risk to the City.

The timing of this proposal is critical. Kuney is under contract to the Oregon Department of Transportation to remove the old bridge this summer. By federal law, Kuney may deconstruct and move the bridge only during the so-called June to August “fish window” when the work will not adversely impact aquatic species listed as threatened or endangered pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act.

“Preserving our community’s history is a value Portlanders hold dear,” said Commissioner Randy Leonard. “We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past by tearing down our heritage.”

"This is a great example of Portland’s commitment to recycling, reuse, and sustainable action," offered Commissioner Dan Saltzman.

Calling it “the largest recycling project in the city’s history,” Commissioner Adams noted that “We have a unique opportunity to use funding, most of which can be expended only for this project, to make Northwest Portland a safer, more inviting place for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists alike.”

The bridge is eligible for designation as a historic structure and is one of the few remaining examples of a Parker Truss bridge. The reason the County is replacing it is that the bridge approach ramps cannot support freight trucks.

This bridge relocation project will provide an important east/west connection. NW Flanders is unique in that it connects the Steel Bridge and Waterfront Park to NW 24th Avenue and the entrance to Washington Park. I-405 created a barrier between Portland’s Northwest neighborhoods and the Pearl District. The Sauvie Bridge over I-405 would help bridge this
barrier and further link these two neighborhoods.

As engineers and bicycle and pedestrian advocates have testified before Council, Burnside, Everett, and Glisan are poor bicycle routes because of high traffic volumes, speeds, and conflicts with I-405 ramp traffic. Flanders, in contrast, is a safe street and a family-friendly bike route.

The business community supports the project because increasing bicycle and pedestrian trips between the retail districts of NW 23rd Avenue and the Pearl will help businesses in both districts. Residents like this project because reusing the historic structure fits the culture of Portland. The Sauvie Bridge over I-405 at Flanders would add to the already unique character of
Northwest Portland.

“The Sauvie Bridge will stand as a beacon to Portland's commitment to multi-modal transportation, vital neighborhoods, and sustainable practices,” said Adams.

The Ordinance for the Kuney contract will be heard by City Council on Wednesday, April 30th.
A second hearing and the vote will be Wednesday, May 7th.

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In a press release from City Hall this afternoon, PDOT announced that City Commissioners Sam Adams, Dan Saltzman, and Randy Leonard have agreed on a course of action that will put the Sauvie Island Bridge re-use plan up for a second City Council vote on May 7th.

If all goes according to plan, PDOT and Kuney will begin work on the project -- which will relocate the span and put it to use as a bicycle and pedestrian crossing over I-405 at NW Flanders Street -- on June 6th.

PDOT also announced they'll hold a press conference on Friday to announce details of the plan.

When the project first came up at Council, it did not muster the necessary votes to pass. This was due in part because of Commissioner Saltzman's concerns about a sole-source (no-bid) contract between PDOT and Kuney Construction (they own the bridge and were slated to complete the project).

After several days of negotiations with Adams, Saltzman issued a statement last Friday vowing his support for the project under certain conditions.

The plan detailed by the Commissioners today meets those conditions. It still awards the main part of the project to Kuney, but at a guaranteed maximum price cap. Then, a second part of the project calls for a competitive bid process.

View press release

PDOT says the relocation will occur in two phases.

The first phase -- which includes dismantling the bridge from its current location, re-painting it, moving it to NW Flanders and installing it -- will be done by Kuney Construction for a "guaranteed maximum price of $3.913 million". The ordinance also states that Kuney will "incur any unforeseen cost increases, if they arise."

The second phase of the project -- which includes preparation of the site at NW Flanders, construction of the bridge foundations, and installation of a traffic signal -- will go out to a competitive bid.

The ordinance also states that the City will enter into the contract with Kuney only, "upon receipt of all funds necessary to complete the project," which PDOT estimates will be June 25.

The project's $5.5 million cost estimate has not changed. Sources for funding include: $2 million from Transportation System Development charges, $2 million from River District Urban Renewal Tax Increment Funds, $1 million in Transportation Enhancement funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation, $500,000 from the City's general fund as part of the Safe, Sound & Green Streets program, and private donations.

The ordinance will receive its first reading at City Council next Wednesday (4/30) with the second reading a week later (5/7). It will go into effect 30 days after the vote.

With three of the four Commissioners (usually there are five, but Commissioner Sten's seat is vacant) behind the plan, it is assured passage. The only real question that remains is whether or not Potter will reverse his opposition to the plan.

More info:
-- View the press release
-- Press conference announcement
-- BikePortland.org's full coverage of this project

COMMISSIONERS ADAMS, LEONARD, AND SALTZMAN ANNOUNCE NEW APPROACH TO ACQUIRE AND RELOCATE SAUVIE ISLAND BRIDGE

(PORTLAND, OR) - A press conference to announce the City's new approach to acquire the center span of the Sauvie Island Bridge and relocate it from its current location to NW Flanders Street over I-405 will be held on Friday, April 25, at 3:30 p.m. at Chown Hardware, located at 333 NW 16th Avenue (at Flanders Street).

WHAT: Sauvie Island Bridge Relocation Project

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008

WHERE: Chown Hardware, 333 NW 16th Avenue (at Flanders Street)

WHO:
City Commissioner Sam Adams
City Commissioner Randy Leonard
Brendan Finn, Chief of Staff, City Commissioner Dan Saltzman
Safety advocates

WHY:
Commissioners Sam Adams, Randy Leonard, and Dan Saltzman together will file a City Ordinance that authorizes the City to acquire the center span of the Sauvie Island Bridge and relocate it from its current location to NW Flanders Street over I-405. The relocation will occur in two phases. Phase One will be completed by the bridge's current owner, Max J. Kuney Construction, for a guaranteed maximum price of $3.913 million. Kuney will incur any unforeseen cost increases, if they arise. Phase Two will be competitively bid out to the lowest qualified bidder. The Ordinance directs the City to enter into contract with Kuney Construction upon receipt of all funds necessary to complete the project, projected to be June 25.

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Cheryl