KGW screen grab showing Crippen.

A 50 year old woman was found dead on the I-205 multi-use path in Clackamas County at 1:00 am on Friday morning (11/25) and law enforcement officials are now searching for clues in what they believe to be a homicide.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Dana Crippen — who they say "was previously to be known to be homeless and living in the Eugene area" — was found on a the path where it goes under SE Johnson Creek Blvd, just west of I-205. Here's more from the sheriff's office: (more...)

You think the old track at
Alpenrose fixes itself?
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tons of volunteer opportunities this weekend to help maintain and build a fabulous bike scene whether your preference is mountain, track or just tootling around dressed like a bunny rabbit.

Enjoy the weekend!

Saturday, April 23rd

9:00am - 1:00pm: Stub Stewart Trail Fest work party
Join the Northwest Trail Alliance to maintain and develop the trail system at Stub Stewart State Park. Bring your bike! No experience necessary. Some food provided so sign up in advance over at NWTA. This is one of the most important things you can do to improve mountain biking in the region! (more...)

The Oregon Department of Transportation and TriMet have completed their joint project to install new overhead lighting on the I-205 multi-use path. The project was paid for by a $4 million federal stimulus grant and the new lighting was installed from Lents to Gladstone in the southern portion of the 16.5 mile path.

Back in October, ODOT closed some portions of the path to finish up the work and they announced just last week that the entire path has now been re-opened (albeit with some construction crews still present on the trail tying up loose ends).
(more...)

As part of their federal stimulus funded project to install overhead lighting on the I-205 non-motorized corridor, ODOT is planning to close sections of the of the popular biking thoroughfare from October 18th through early-mid January. See the press release below for details and stay tuned to ODOT's I-205 website for updates:

Portions of I-205 path to temporarily close

Path users can expect detours between Clackamas and Gladstone during construction

As part of a project to install overhead lighting on the I-205 Multi-Use Path, contractor Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. will temporarily close portions of the path between Clackamas and Gladstone beginning next week. (more...)

In their ongoing effort to make the biking and walking path adjacent to I-205 into a "world class facility," the Oregon Department of Transportation has just announced the "Equity Bike Ride" to show off what they've done and what's planned for the future.

Shelli Romero, ODOT's Public Policy & Community Affairs Manager, has been doing a lot of biking this summer and says she has "become passionate" about it. In an email announcing the ride, Romero notes that she has also "thought a lot about how bicycling and the issues of equity and creating/building and supporting communities intersect." (more...)

[This article was written by contributor Aaron Tarfman.]

On Saturday I went out to be a part of the Friends of Trees planting event along the I-205 path. The staging area was near the top of the hill by SE Alder St & SE 94th Ave.

I've volunteered with this group several times before and I appreciate the work that they do. I was also a little disturbed by some comments about the event made on BikePortland, and it was my hope to make a more positive impression. I don't always have success with showing people the wisdom of human powered transportation, but it was worth bringing the trailer out to give it a try. (more...)

In need of trees! And you can help.
(Photo: Friends of Trees)

Local non-profit Friends of Trees will start a major tree planting effort along the I-205 bikeway this weekend. Under their "Green Space Initiative" project, and in partnership with Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation, Friends of Trees will plant about 150, four-to-six foot trees at four different locations along the path.

We love trees on bikeways for several reasons; they create a visual and sound barrier between riders and the highway, they make our planet healthier, they give us shade in the summer and protect us from rain and wind in the winter. (more...)

Looking north towards SE Division
from I-205 path.
(Photos © J. Maus)

TriMet is close to completion of their $3.8 million, stimulus-funded project to add lighting and other improvements to a seven-mile stretch of the I-205 multi-use path. The path is also the subject of an online survey and study being conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Alta Planning and Design that seeks to identify problem spots and prioritize improvements.

TriMet re-opened a portion of the I-205 path back in July. The final section -- extending south to Clackamas Town Center -- was scheduled to open along with the Green Line MAX last month. However, TriMet now says the path is scheduled to re-open on November 7th. (more...)

Project will improve lighting
on I-205 path.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a.k.a. the federal stimulus bill), the bike and pedestrian path that runs along Interstate 205 will be getting a $2.5 million makeover.

Most of the money will go toward new lighting on a 3.6 mile stretch of the path from SE Sunnyside Road to SE Woodstock (I hope it doesn't attract vandals), but according to ODOT spokesperson Christine Miles there's more in store than just improved illumination. (more...)