You may have heard that Metro is putting forth a bond measure in the November election that would allow them to use $227.4 million dollars to help protect natural areas in and around Portland. I asked avid cyclist, BTA co-founder, and current Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder what this bond measure would mean for cyclists.
He said, “the bond measure, if approved, would provide funding for important trail improvements and bicycle and pedestrian connections throughout the region.” There are four main targeted trail projects that would be included:
Springwater Trail:
Completing the Sellwood Gap, the one-mile corridor between the south end of the existing Springwater on the Willamette Trail and the Three Bridges project starting at SE 19th Avenue in Portland. Once completed, this will provide a continuous bicycling and pedestrian trail from downtown Portland to Boring.
Cazadero Trail:
This forested 4-mile corridor located between Boring and Barton Park runs along the north fork of Deep Creek and follows an historic rail line used to ship timber from Cascade forests to the Portland riverfront. Enhancement of the corridor for trail use will connect campgrounds, future inter-urban trails, and Portland (via the Springwater Corridor) to Mt. Hood and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Gresham-Fairview Trail:
This multi-use trail is a major north-south connection through the Gresham area. It connects the Springwater Corridor at Linneman Junction and crosses the eastside MAX light-rail line at Ruby Junction. Continuing north to Blue Lake Regional Park, the trail ends at the Columbia River and connects to the existing Lewis and Clark Discovery Greenway Trail (part of the 40-Mile Loop) along Marine Drive. Acquisition of the remaining corridor is needed to complete the trail and secure an important eastern spine of the regional trail system.
Westside Trail:
This 24-mile north/south alignment stretches from the Tualatin River in Tigard north through Beaverton, unincorporated Washington County and Multnomah Counties through Forest Park to the Willamette River. The corridor, located within one mile of over 120,000 residents, and near numerous parks, schools, regional centers and the MAX line, could become a primary westside recreation and commuter spine.
More info at: www.metro-region.org/bondmeasure.