make biking easier in East Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)
The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) — a governor appointed group that sets policy for ODOT — approved a $23.6 million list of “non-highway” projects through their Flexible Funds Program today.
The projects are biking, walking, and transit centric and they come from all around the state. There are three projects in the Portland area that have been awarded funds.
The City of Portland will receive $640,000 for Phase II is their East Portland Access to Transit project (which costs $710,000 in total). This project will fund a variety of projects that will make biking and walking easier and safer in the area south of I-84, north of Foster Road, and east of I-205. The money will pay for development of bike boulevards, crossing treatments, sidewalks, and even a marketing push to make sure people know about the improvements once they’re built.
PBOT also won $400,000 for a large-scale SmartTrips marketing effort that will encourage residents to use the new eastside streetcar line.
Another project that will impact bicycling in the region is Metro’s Intertwine Regional Trail Signage Project. The agency won $265,000 for this project, which we shared a sneak peek of earlier this month.
What’s not on the list is the SW Barbur Blvd Demonstration Project, a $1.2 million project that would have built several safe crossings on this treacherous street between SW 19th and 26th Avenues. This project gained attention when it was passed over by Metro’s Flex Fund process (some said in favor of the bike share system) and activists have been clamoring to make it happen. While it wasn’t funded, it was included as an “Alternative” project this time around (which means, if one of the 25 funded projects falls through, it could get the green light)..
For more information, see ODOT’s Flexible Fund program website.