Gates around damaged trail prevent
through bike traffic.
(Photos © J. Maus)

A portion of the Willamette Greenway Trail north of the Steel Bridge is closed to biking and walking due to an erosion problem that is causing the paved trail to crack and sink into the river. A handwritten, "Sidewalk closed - Use Naito" sign has been posted on a locked gate just north of the railroad tracks at the southern end of the closure.

According to Portland Parks spokesperson Beth Sorensen, that segment of trail is maintained by the McCormick Pier Condominium homeowners association, which took over maintenance responsibilities from the City of Portland in 2002. (more...)

Metro trail planner Mel Huie and
npGreenway core member Pam
Arden at a 2007 meeting.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tonight, the Portland Planning Commission -- a nine-member body appointed by the Mayor that advises the city on all planning issues -- will hold a public hearing for the "North Reach" phase of Portland's River Plan.

The River Plan is a massive planning project for all land along the Willamette River in Portland.

Buried among the many volumes and reams of pages in the North Reach section of the plan is language that would help establish easements and official policy for the northern section of the Willamette River Greenway Trail (which currently ends at the Steel Bridge). (more...)

Imagine the Willamette Greenway
Trail extending the Esplanade
to St. Johns.
(Photo: Scott Mizee/npGreenway)

It's that time of year again when Metro seeks your comments on how they should spend millions of dollars in federal funds through their regional flexible funding program (also known as MTIP, the Metropolitian Transportation Improvement Program).

A key part of that process is gathering public comment so decision makers at Metro can make the most informed choices on how to spend $21.6 million. Sounds like a lot of money right? Well, the rub is that Metro has received applications for projects totaling $57.8 million -- so that means they need your help to whittle down the list (JPACT, a Metro advisory committee has thankfully set a minimum of $7.2 million that must be spent on bike/ped projects). (more...)