State transportation planners are scrambling to get their “shovel ready” projects in order and they’re waiting eagerly by their inboxes this morning. That’s because any day now, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is expected to release the application forms for what they’re calling “Phase II of the Federal Economic Stimulus”. I spoke with ODOT’s … Read more
Joe Kurmaskie, seen here at the “We are All Traffic” rally held in November 2007 after two bike fatalities.(Photo © J. Maus) Mayor Sam Adams’ support of a proposal that would authorize the construction of a new I-5 bridge that could “be built to accomodate up to 12 lanes” has sparked a new level of … Read more
“What went wrong?… The Transportation Commission got heavy pressure from pro-highway legislators, road builders, and Washington County and other local governments looking for road-building money.”— excerpt from a statement set to go out to supporters of Transportation for Oregon’s Future Transportation for Oregon’s Future — a “network of organizations and businesses supporting transportation choices for … Read more
Riders will no longer be in the dark on the I-205 bike path.(Photo © J. Maus) On Friday, the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC, a body appointed by Governor Kulongoski) made their final decisions on how to spend $122,592,742 in federal stimulus funds. And, if you remember our report from last week, it seems like their … Read more
“… it’s less about the number of lanes, per se, and more about the impact on the community.”— Scott Bricker, executive director of the BTA This week’s decision by City Council to authorize Mayor Adams to vote in favor of a 12-lane Columbia River Crossing bridge has sparked outrage among many Portlanders. Several comments here … Read more
Commissioner Fritz voiced many concerns before voting “no” on the proposal last night.(Image: City of Portland) At their meeting last night, Portland’s City Council gave Mayor Sam Adams authorization to vote in favor of a 12-lane Columbia River Crossing (CRC) bridge. But, according to Adams’ office, the vote does not mean the Mayor (and council) … Read more
Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, Gail Achterman, is in the driver’s seat on how our statespends its federal stimulus money.(Photos © J. Maus) The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) is meeting this morning in Salem to discuss which infrastructure projects will get built with money from America’s recently passed economic stimulus plan. The OTC is … Read more
“Both projects are focused on a livable future for Portland. And this joint presentation opportunity gives us an excellent opportunity to specifically address the issue of how well bicycling and streetcar can play together as we build our livable streets.” — Ellen Vanderslice, project manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update The City of Portland … Read more
TriMet and Shift will bring you free breakfast next week.(Photo © J. Maus) TriMet, in partnership with bike fun promoting non-profit Shift, will host three Breakfast on the Bridges events at the end of this month. The purpose of the events is to spread the word about how bikes are expected to navigate safely along … Read more
I recently came across this image again — it’s the map that might have sealed our fate, developed by Portland city planners in 1966 in response to freeway guru Robert Moses’ vision for the city. Robert Moses’ freeway plan for the City of Portland Moses was known for saying “Cities are for traffic,” and he … Read more
Guadalajara’s first cycle track runs for 5km on each side of Avenida Federalismo.(Photos © J. Maus)
“The bike community is very happy with the result.”— James Koski, Deputy Chief of Staff for Earl Blumenauer The Transportation Enhancements (TE) program is an important pot of cash doled out by the Federal Highway Administration that states can put toward bicycle and pedestrian projects. In Portland, TE funds have helped us create such popular … Read more