Vancouver is one of the busiest bike corridors in the city and the signal came as part of the N Williams Traffic Safety Project.
City press release below. More coverage to come…
PBOT, local organizations and community representatives to switch on new traffic signal at North Vancouver and Cook on October 14
(Oct. 12, 2015) On Wednesday, October 14, Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat will join local businesses and community members to activate the new traffic signal at North Vancouver and Cook and highlight the positive impact of the North Vancouver Avenue and Cook Street Local Improvement District.
WHO: Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat
Ben Kaiser, Owner and Principal, Kaiser Group
Owen Gabbert, Owner, Owen Gabbert LLC.
Amy Shlossman, CEO, American Red Cross Cascades Region
Tom Bickett, Vice President, Legacy Health
Representatives of Oregon Walks
Representatives of the Eliot Neighborhood Association
Representatives of the Boise Neighborhood Association
WHAT: To celebrate the new signal at North Vancouver and Cook, PBOT officials will gather with local businesses and community members to switch on the traffic signal. Long sought after by the community since the opening of the Fremont Bridge on November 15, 1973, the signal was made possible by the North Vancouver Avenue and Cook Street Local Improvement District (LID). The North Vancouver LID, raised over $1 million to construct this new signal, upgrade 2 other signals and underground utilities. This is investment that will support improved traffic flow and safety for travelers.
WHEN: 9:00 am
WHERE: Intersection of North Vancouver and Cook.
VISUALS: Director Leah Treat will give brief remarks. News media can film participants cutting a ribbon and flipping the switches to activate the new traffic signal.
Since 1973? Is that right? This one signal took 42 years to get out in? How many billions were spent elsewhere in that time, how many traffic lights?
In Portland. 43 years doesn’t surprise me.
“Put” in.
Yeah, that date sure gives some extra context about the frustrations of the neighborhood’s long-time residents. That neighborhood was a vibrant cultural center for African-American Portland until the city ripped through with I5 and the Rose Quarter, and then it was neglected for years. Now that it’s gentrifying, some of these much-needed changes are finally coming. I’m so glad for this traffic light (I live in this neighborhood, and my kids walk through that intersection to get to our neighborhood school), but I totally get why my neighbors have been so angry about some of these changes happening now.
Paid for by an LID. Now that LID can fund upgraded bike facilities on Williams/Vancouver between the Rose Quarter and Killingsworth.