Corridor Trail is up for funding
consideration.
(Photo © J. Maus)
The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking comments on their list of projects eligible for funding through the federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program.
The TE program provides federal highway funds for projects that, “strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of our transportation system.” The program is meant to fund “special or additional activities” not normally required on a highway or transportation project. So far, the state of Oregon has funded more than 150 projects for a total of $63 million.
The time around, there are eight projects listed in the Portland region. They include a $1.5 million project applied for by Metro that would build a new bridge on the Willamette Greenway Trail connecting Pier Park to Chimney Park over N. Terminal Road in St. Johns and a $2.8 million PDOT project that would put bike lanes and a sidewalk on SW Vermont and Chestnut streets between Terwilliger and SW 37th.
Other projects under consideration are $1.2 million for an extension of the Springwater Corridor Trail in Boring and $650,000 for bike lanes on Highway 101 in Depoe Bay.
Comments are needed to help ODOT determine which projects advance to the next phase of evaluation and selection and they will impact how each project is ultimately scored. The comment period began on August 1 and runs through September 15.
ODOT has set up a special online survey form to gather your comments. You can learn more about the TE program and find a link to the survey and complete list of projects under consideration at the Transportation Enhancements website.
Thanks for reading.
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I think we should replace the I-5 bridge and use it for an 6-lane pedestrian draw bridge over 405 and NW Flanders…
There\’s not one real meaningful project in the Portland Metro area that would actually make a difference to transportation cyclists. depressing.
Is there a place where we can get info on bike paths? I tried to ride the I-84 path recently and, going eastbound from NE 122nd, there were steel plates every ten or twenty yards, then at 132nd the path was closed completely. What is happening here? And the I-205 path was closed between Burnside and Glisan.
God love you, Burr… always a ray of light, hope and sunshine on any given topic. I\’\’ve been considering nominating you for Portland\’s Sec of Optimism. Adams is familiar with your outlook and seems over the moon with the idea He\’s putting together a committee, a budget and some interns to look into this position. 😉
Looking at this list, the Greenway project is quite worthy. And bike lanes and sidewalks anywhere in Portland get my thumbs up for increased livability. I use the springwater to bike camp to Oxbow and would love to see it extended.
But if I\’m not mistaken, ODOT is looking for comments… BURR, you could step right up and toss a few suggestions their way for worthy projects on your list. I\’m sending my list and taking the survey. You do have a list right, BURR?
whatever, Joe, the fact remains that the ODOT list is pathetic. of course I\’ve got a list, but I doubt the state would be interested in funding the projects I\’m interested in, they\’d be much too controversial for them, since they might reduce the motor vehicle capacity of a road here or there…
…or slow trucks down by a second or two, are bike lanes or sharrows on the St. Johns bridge on your list, Joe? \’cause that\’s an ODOT facility and they aren\’t on ODOT\’s list.
Repaving the crap portions of the Springwater is at the top of my list for that trail.
Complete the \”40 mile loop.\”
The North Portland Greenway path is a great project. Support that in the survey
Yeah, up the NPG. Go vote for it. And there\’s some stuff on Hwy 101 on the coast that needs doing to improve bicyclists\’ access, too.
But, birding trails?! (from the survey) …EXCUSE ME, but that\’s not transportation, folks. It may have its merits and all, but it\’s not moving peds or cyclists (or even motorists) on a useful route (yeah, okay, I don\’t know anything about the proposed trail) unless the \”birding\” is being experienced on the Springwater on that nice, unpaved section out there by Boring.
Second P Finn. The existing infrastructure needs to be maintained before we start building more, just so it can all fall apart.
already funded,but not being built is the Waud Bluff Trail. This would build a permanent trail where a \’defacto\’ trail exists, connecting N Willamette Blvd with N Basin on Swan Island, with a bridge over the railroad tracks. $1.4 M was awarded two years ago,but constuction has been stalled, in part because BES Portsmouth Main Station for the Big Pipe project is in conflict over who gets to build in a limited area first. Its as much a turf battle between Parks and BES. The importance of Waud Bluff is npGreenway would benefit from use//access the new trail provides. My worry is if construction is delayed too much, dollars will be diluted by inflation. Thats a topic our new Mayor-elect needs to address. I wonder if Tom Miller scans the comment section and reports to his boss?
I\’m all for the North Portland Greenway! And for closing the gap between the Esplanade and the Springwater! How about a whole lane in each direction on the Hawthorne Bridge, and up Hawthorne to 20th or 30th?
Hey BURR – I was just having a bit of fun with you, and egging you on to communicate with ODOT. Turns out I do want bike lanes on the St John\’s Bridge – they screwed the pooch with side walks only – You can take the lane but it\’s speedy and dangerous imho – And no one does the poste 35mph unless a cop is on the bridge getting to the precinct over there. Look, we should compare lists – I could learn some things and maybe I\’d make you smile – come on you can do it – but here\’s what I sincerely think you should do, send odot your list – all the controversial stuff – all of it. You gotta put it out there to get it heard. Peace. Joe
1) Any Max line should have a bike ped path alongside. even the stretch planned thru Lake Oswego area, max maint roads along tracks should be upgraded to facilitate bike foot traffic.
2) Max trains are in desperate need of upgrading to carry higher number of bicycles. If interested, look into Eugene\’s new emerald line. the articulated transporters are state of the art.
3) Bike transportation officials should start looking at a grid system.
Using Max as east west between Gresham- Hillsboro. and boulevards (bike) No-South.
much like budding hwy systems were in early 1900\’s.
4) Want to see a nice option for bikes/cars to share? Go to Ventura, along Pacific Coast Hwy.
the equivalent of one full traffic lane has been cement barrior\’d off (the same ones used here.Just one side, with both lanes of bike ped traffic using it. Cars are effectivly seperated from bike/peds, with just one simple barrior. Additional space for cars/emergency lane then comes from far side of road\’s shoulder.
No reason for all our interstates not to allow for this, shoulders on freeways are typically far wider than hwy shoulders where we ride.
I can\’t quite figure out how the \”greenway option\” actually helps the development of the greenway. Check out the park locations here:
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=513.
N. Terminal Drive does not even go between the parks, only the Railroad. How will this bridge help the green way? Will there eventually be a bridge over the slough near by, to connect upto the dead end bike path by Smith Bybee.
The link provided does not describe the details of this project. Before you vote, lets get the information on the actual project.
Cheers
heres a start.
http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/magazine/995OctNov/04-5trafficcalming.html
Red Hippie.. Metro is seeking funding for a brige over the railroad line connecting Pier Park and Chimney Park, as part of the Smith&Bybee trail access. One would then cross N Columbia Blvd, across to the landfill entrance and access S&B trail system. Connection can then be made to Kelley Point and N Marine Drive, as well as Smith and Bybee, though there will not be a actual trail in the area between the lakes and the Columbia Slough,due to wildlife/habitat concerns. There will be a trail around the landfill and along the south side of the slough, and ( i have yet to see the engineering report as to it being possible) possibly a bridge connecting the landfill side to the Ash Grove side of S&B, connecting the Port of Portland trail. ( the trail off Marine Dr that dead ends behind Wapato Jail)
npGreenway will benefit from any connections but its biggest concern is the access to river level alignment near industrial areas.Industrial owners are very protective of any percieved threat to their interests, even to failing to realize the benefits a trail would bring. I didn\’t have a chance to get to the River Plan meeting last nite, so I dont know what was said.
…and don\’t miss out on the opportunity to comment on the \”Columbia, Clackamas, & Hood River County\” section of the survey, which includes both the extension of the Springwater to Boring, and the further extension from Boring to Barton Park (the Cazadero trail). Both very exciting projects!
I also agree that most of the Springwater trail needs to be repaved and the roots which have destroyed the pavement need to be removed.
Their website is way to difficult to manage. I can\’t find the details on each of these projects.
There\’s going to be a Pave the Springwater Trail Rally at the Boring Farmer\’s Market this coming Saturday. Here\’s the blurb from the Farmer\’s Market website:
Springwater Trail Rally – A rally in support of the Springwater Trail will take place from 10:00am until 3:00pm. Bring your family, friends or group to use the trail by walking or biking on this day. Then stop by the Park booth in the Boring Farmer\’s Market and sign a letter in support of the trail improvements and grant. This letter will be sent to the Oregon Department of Transportation representing community support for the Springwater Trail and Boring Station Trailhead Park.
The Boring Farmer\’s Market is actually on Sunday August 10 (not Saturday).
Joe
Maybe the railroad should own and maintain the overpass you desire. They own 2 of them in the area now including the one on lombard. A longshot as the railroads are real tightwads and are hard to talk to.