Image from a TriMet presentation of
the idea back in February.

Remember TriMet's idea to turn the bikeway on their forthcoming Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge into a sonic piece of public art?

While TriMet says their public art advisory committee was "intrigued" by the concept, they weren't ready to pull the trigger due to its price tag of over $200,000.

The idea, which was presented to the City of Portland's Bicycle Advisory Committee back in February, was to add grooves in the pavement that, when rolled over with bicycle tires, would create a tune. While the "budget reality" wasn't music to their ears, the committee also cited "unresolved technical issues and potential safety risks" as factors in their decision.

Read a letter sent this morning to the BAC from TriMet Public Art Manager Mary Priester below: (more...)

Last week we broke the news that the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (a governor-appointed committee that advises ODOT on biking and walking issues and projects) planned to make an official request to TriMet that the new Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge be named after Don Stathos, father of the 1971 Oregon Bike Bill. Today the OBPAC released their letter. Read it below...

Neil McFarlane
TriMet General Manager
4012 SE 17th Ave.
Portland, OR 97202

RE: Naming the Portland–Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge over the Willamette River

Dear Neil,

The Portland-Milwaukie light-rail line embodies the philosophy of active transportation. With that in mind, we would like to propose that the project’s new bridge spanning the Willamette River be named the (Don) Stathos Bridge as a fitting memorial to an Oregon pioneer and trailblazer in the field of active transportation.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Oregon’s original Bicycle and Pedestrian Bill during 2011, it is fitting that we pay tribute to a man who brought awareness of and support to active transportation for our state, region and local communities.

In 1971, Don Stathos, a Republican state representative and avid bicyclist from Jacksonville, Oregon, sponsored House Bill 1700. Only nine representatives and one state senator originally backed the Bicycle Bill. At each stage of the legislative process, the bill passed by just one vote. Initially, Governor Tom McCall didn't favor the bill, but he changed his mind as he came to believe it was a good thing for Oregon and Oregonians. The governor signed the bill into law on the steps of the state capitol using the seat of Stathos’ Schwinn Paramount as a table.

The bill allowed for the creation of the present-day Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, a governor-appointed committee that the Oregon Department of Transportation on bicycling and walking. (The Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee (OBAC) was formed by ORS 366.112, a bill passed in 1973. In 1995, the Oregon Transportation Commission officially recognized the OBAC’s role in pedestrian issues; the committee became the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC)). In 2010 the committee awarded grants for approximately $5 million for the design and construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

We realize this request comes very early in the project process. Nevertheless, please allow our collective wishes to be considered when the project moves toward choosing a name for the bridge. We can think of no better choice than to honor Don Stathos. We all stand on his shoulders as we make active transportation a real part of public policy and public works for our society.

Sincerely,

Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Father of the Bicycle Bill, Don Stathos, would
be fitting tribute for new TriMet bridge.
(Graphic: TriMet).

Don Stathos is the father of Oregon's Bicycle Bill, which he introduced and pushed through the state legislature in 1971. The bill (which became ORS 366.514) mandated that state highway projects spend a minimum of one percent on "footpaths and bicycle trails." Stathos' forward-thinking commitment to bicycling and walking has led to millions of dollars of investment throughout the state.

Now, on the 40th anniversary of the bill, the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC, which advises ODOT), is recommending that TriMet's new Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail bridge over the Willamette River be named in his honor. (more...)

TriMet architect Bob Hastings presented
the idea last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

As part of the public art planned along their Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, TriMet is considering something quite interesting for the new Willamette River Bridge — a "sonic bike path."

TriMet architect Bob Hastings and Public Art Program Manager Mary Priester presented the idea to the City of Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) last night.

The "sonic bike path" concept is still in its early stages, but at this point, the idea is to create a series of grooves on a 150 foot section of the bikeway on each end of the bridge. The grooves would be placed in such a frequency and depth that a melody would be emitted as bicycle tires rolled over them. As for the song, the artists are considering Simon and Garfunkel's "Feelin' Groovy."
(more...)

With just five months until start of construction on their Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge, TriMet has announced a public event to "re-engage the community." Check the details below:

A Bridge Conversation
Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 3–5 p.m.
2100 SW River Parkway
(DEA offices, Willamette Room, 1st floor)

In July 2011, construction will begin on the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge, the largest span in the country dedicated to transit, bikes and pedestrians. As the first Portland bridge built across the Willamette River in more than 35 years, this structure is an important and visible project for our region.

We recognize that bridge construction will engage a complex community of existing river and waterfront stakeholders over the next four years. Let's explore potential opportunities for coordination and synergy in our relationship to the river during this project.

Please join us to:
- Learn more about construction
- Meet the bridge contractor
- Look ahead to bridge milestones
- Brainstorm partnership opportunities

With your assistance, we can make the construction of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge a rousing and interactive success in terms of public awareness, education and involvement.

R.S.V.P. to Gwen Snyder at snyderg@trimet.org or 503-962-2150.

[Note: This story was originally published with an outdated bridge graphic. The one below is more current.]

Concept drawing of the bike/walkway on the new, carfree bridge TriMet will build over the Willamette.

(more...)

Concept of new bridge.

Last Thursday, The Oregonian's top transportation reporter Dylan Rivera (he's also their go-to guy for coverage of the new I-5 bridge/CRC project) took a closer look at the new TriMet multi-use transit bridge project. The story also included an audio slideshow titled, "Concept Bridge Creates Controversy" (watch it below).

In the article, Rivera delves into the capacity issues that currently exists on the Hawthorne Bridge (which is just north of where the new TriMet bridge will be) and seems to wonder whether or not the currently planned 14-foot wide path on the new bridge will be adequate (Hawthorne is 10 1/2-feet). (more...)

Bridge concept design
by Donald MacDonald.

Once it's built, TriMet's Milwaukie Light Rail bridge over the Willamette River will be the first in the country to carry only light rail and people on bikes and foot (no cars).

What will the actual bike and pedestrian facilities look like?

TriMet is currently working out design details with their new architect on the project, Donald MacDonald. At a recent bridge design meeting, MacDonald unveiled some interesting drawings of what the new bridge might look like. Also, TriMet's bridge team offered details on the project to the City's Bicycle Advisory Committee last month.

Jeff Jahn of PortlandArt.net was at a recent design meeting and has covered the design talks closely. He says MacDonald has been touting the bridge's bike and ped facilities as possibly being some of the best in the world. (more...)

TriMet's 7.3 mile Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project includes a new bridge that will cross the Willamette River. The bridge is poised to be the nation's first-ever transit/bike/ped only crossing and TriMet, along with bridge designers and other project stakeholders have narrowed down the design to two -- a cable-stay, or a "wave" design.

The adopted alignment leave the South Waterfront (south of the Marquam Bridge) and will land on the east side just south of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. (more...)

[Via the Oregonian]

TriMet map shows proposed
bridge location (enlarge).
Graphic: TriMet

TriMet's plans to build a new bridge over the Willamette River for their Portland to Milwaukie light rail line got a big boost in Salem on Saturday.

The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction approved a funding bill (backed taxpayer and lottery bonds) that included $254 million to help build the bridge that is proposed to go from Riverplace to OMSI (see map at right).

Along with light rail, the "Caruthers Bridge" is expected to have a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facility (I hope to have a comment on this from TriMet communications czar Mary Fetsch later today).

The project, which is also expected to receive $500 million in funds from the federal government, is expected to be completed by 2014.