Ride Report: Demolish I-5, Build a Cycle Track (photo)

(Photo: Tom McCall)

Reporter – Tom McCall (not real name)
Ride Date – Tuesday, June 15, 2010
– Ride Description

Report
The Portland Bureau of Reclamation and Human Habitation hosted this informative, exploratory ride.

The focus of this Pedalpalooza ride was to listen to our esteemed guests, Gov. Tom McCall and Robert Moses explain their conflicting visions for the history and future of our urban landscape.

Robert Moses showed us a map of his work planning for an efficient, fast mobility network for Portland that was planned in the 1960s. He had at least 4 freeway crossings of the Columbia in his plan and other great projects like the 53rd avenue freeway and the Prescott Freeway.

Gov. McCall arrived with his motorcade, at the east end of the Steel Bridge. He had been asked if he would need an escort, but replied that he could not afford a scandal if she was not of age. Gov. McCall explained the creation of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement and how Portland citizens stood up against the demolition and razing of their neighborhoods for freeway expansion. The governor also explained his plans to replicate the success of the Harbor Drive removal by removing the Eastbank Freeway, also known as the Interstate 5. This project would create a more vibrant eastbank waterfront and connected community. He gave tribute to Vera Katz, who we later visited with a group hug, for making the Willamette waterfront accessible with the sliver of a trail known as the Eastbank Esplanade. He showed us how much more the trail could be by removing I-5. He told us how cities need to move people and goods, not private automobiles criscrossing the region at 60 m ph.

The Governor repeatedly challenged “Bob” Moses’ plans for Portland’s future; while Mr. Moses implored Portland to ignore citizens and grant him authority to build these projects, like they did in NY.

We pedaled through the old Harbor Drive Freeway that Gov. McCall tore out to build our Waterfront Park. We toured the new and improved bike and walking facilities on the Morrison 1/2 mile Expressway. Bob Moses was quite disappointed that automobile efficiency had been reduced on the Morrison to allow lowly pedestrians a place to slowly move themselves through our city.

Mr. Moses then led us to our region’s most prominent current freeway removal, the SR 99E viaduct demolition. He showed us to demolish a freeway properly, you must build a replacement larger and faster. This was obviously the sentiment of ODOT, who was building the new freeway as the old MLK/99 viaduct came down. Mr. Moses was quite enraged that the project area would also soon have a new streetcar viaduct that would bridge the Union Pacific Tracks and lead to the OMSI terminus. Robert was also disgusted about the planned Orange line MAX bridge over the Willamette. He was incensed that the new bridge would not accommodate the unrestricted free flow of modern automobiles. We surveyed the area and then pedaled in the lane up Grand Avenue, researching what a proper urban highway looks like, before the new streetcar eastside expansion will destroy the fabric of this community by eradicating many vintage parking lots and auto dealers.

Bob wanted to show us most recent proposal which he had developed with former Gov. McCall. His new idea would appease whiny environmentalist hippies while maximizing the efficiency of our existing infrastructure.

They would not tell us of their new plan until we arrived at the proposed international High Speed Cycle Track Bicycle Expressway. This is currently known as Interstate 5 and I 405. Robert Moses led us across the Willamette with incredible views and direct access to the NW industrial neighborhood. From Williams it was a very smooth ride, no onramps or exits to deal with, just plenty of slow moving cars at rush hour. It seemed very familiar and nonthreatening for those of us that bike tour outside of the urban region. Please check out the proposed Fremont Bridge cycle track when you have a chance.

I think the guys are really on to something. If the Morrison 1/2 Mile Expressway can handle lowly bikes and walkers, then the Fremont Bridge can easily accommodate a cycle track in lieu of a shoulder.

This ideological bridge that was built between Gov. McCall and Robert Moses will be able to inspire our next generation of Portland transportation planners to use the existing infrastructure more wisely, starting with reallocating the shoulder of the Fremont bridge to allow more non-motorized traffic flow.

At the end of our ride we received a press release from Gov. McCall declaring:
“ODOT will build Fremont Bridge Cycle Track by 2012.”

Here’s to better freeways, cheers!