left from the transit center on the right.
ODOT, TriMet and the Portland Police Bureau Transit Police Division have teamed up on a project that will install a new fence along the I-205 multi-use path at the Gateway Transit Center.
According to ODOT, the six-foot high, 600 feet long fence will be installed within the existing planter strip up against the backside of the curb just west of the TriMet bus stop and adjacent to the I-205 path. The primary reason for the project is to improve safety and to prevent conflicts between I-205 path users and transit users who often use the path while waiting for buses and MAX rides.
The fence will be chain link with black plastic coating. Upon hearing the news, a community leader was concerned that the appearance of the fence might discourage people from being in the area. “That is not our intent,” ODOT Community Affairs specialist Shelli Romero said. “We think we can install something that will do the job we need it to do for safety and not look unattractive and still encourage users to use the path, transit center and shopping center.”
–Download PDF–
The fence and new gates are expected to be installed by the end of next month. Romero says people who ride on the I-205 path will find that the new fence keeps transit users off the path. “But we are also hopeful that there will be a reduction in the amount of trash and cigarettes where people currently throw into the planter strip.”
If you have questions about the project, direct them to Shelli Romero with ODOT Community Affairs at (503) 731-8231 or email shelli.romero@odot.state.or.us or Clay Thompson at TriMet at (503) 962-6438 or ThompsoC@trimet.org.