Multnomah Boulevard sewer project?

[K'Tesh]

While Jonathan is getting things back together in the office after the break in, he's been a bit busy, and hasn't responded to my request to get someone approved... so I'll forward this on to you for him.

Jim Hook writes:

In the daily roundup there was a link to an article on the Hillsdale cycletrack. If you follow the link and read the next article in the SW Connection after the one on Hillsdale, there is a discussion of a Multnomah Boulevard sewer project.

Is it possible to find out what provisions are going to be made to keep Multnomah Boulevard open as a bicycle arterial during the Sewer project?

Jim,

I'm not aware of the project, as I live outside of the area (and actually don't know where that is).

Perhaps someone here knows more about it?

Rubberside Down!
K'Tesh

[jimhook]

The Fanno Pump Station and Pressure Sewer Improvements project is described at:
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=49285&

I became aware of it by reading an article linked to from today's Monday roundup:
http://www.swcommconnection.com/news...99197821090700

I contacted the BES official identified in the article. In email he writes (emphasis mine, this is an excerpt from his email):

Regarding the timing of these two projects, (note: we refer to the broader
Fanno pressure line project as either the 'Garden Home' segment or the
'Multnomah' segment), the Multnomah segment begins construction this fall.
Construction will take place at locations between SW 69th and SW 31st on
Multnomah.

In late winter/early spring of 2010 the Garden Home segment will begin
construction. Each segment will take roughly nine months to construct.

I have sent a follow-up email, mentioning that I was posting excerpts on this forum.

Are there documents specifying standards for maintaining bike access during construction that I can refer to in my communications with the city? In my experience making a construction site safe for cyclists is frequently not a priority of construction and utility crews. There is at least one road construction project on Tualatin-Sherwood Road, for example, that has had a partially obstructed bike lane since Halloween. If cyclists were a priority of the crew I believe the period of obstruction would have been limited to a few days.

[bikieboy]

Jim, I would guess that there will need to be a fairly comprehensive traffic control plan as part of this project, and someone in Transportation with the City will need to review and approve it. Not sure exactly who that will be, but if you call the general number for Transportation (503-823-5185) & explain you're looking for whoever reviews traffic control plans for SW they should be able to direct you to the right person.

Way to catch this early on..!