If you ride on the Esplanade and the Springwater Corridor south of OMSI you know that there’s a ton of construction going. In addition to the Big Pipe Project, ODOT is currently working on a $64 million project to replace the MLK/Grand Viaduct.
A key vote will be made tomorrow by the Columbia River Crossing Task Force. The 39-member panel will vote on how to move forward into the next phase of the project.
Opponents of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) Task Force’s plan to build a gargantuan, $2-6 billion new highway bridge claimed an important victory last night. Metro Councilors heard a steady stream of public testimony in support of two resolutions to study other alternatives that were put forth by Metro Councilors Rex Burkholder and Robert Liberty.
The Columbia River Crossing project is moving into a crucial phase, and it’s headed in the wrong direction. A few weeks ago, I expressed concern about this project. Since then I’ve learned more and heard from many experts who share my concerns. It’s now clear to me that we need to do something to stop … Read more
[The current B&O warehouse.]Photo: Courtesy Beam Development A landmark building on Portland’s central eastside is about to be significantly redeveloped, and the folks behind the project plan to make it very bike-friendly. The B&O building on SE Stark and 2nd (between the Morrison and Burnside bridges) is being re-constructed by Portland-based Beam Development into creative … Read more
[Potential trail would go near University of Portland.]Photo: Scott Mizee/npGreenway Last night in North Portland the community got an update on npGreenway’s vision for a new riverfront trail that will someday link the St. John’s Bridge to the Eastbank Esplanade. A group of of about 25 citizens, trail advocates, and neighborhood leaders came together to … Read more
[Salem will convert thisbridge to bike/ped only.]Photo: City of Salem Back in November, I got an email from City of Salem project coordinator David Skilton. He wanted to share news that they’re converting an old railroad bridge on the Willamette to a bicycle and pedestrian-only crossing. The Salem project sounds exciting. It’s got federal funding, … Read more
[Transportation activist and blogger Chris Smith questionsthe Crossing at a panel discussion on 1/4/07.] Last night at my neighborhood meeting I heard two strange presentations. They both had to do with billion dollar mega-projects that are intended to increase capacity on Interstate 5 and thereby decrease congestion. As I listened I couldn’t help but feel … Read more
“Can we create–even if only for a little while and in a limited area–the feeling one gets when riding in world class cycling cities?”-PDOT’s Roger Geller In case you haven’t heard the buzz, PDOT is in the midst of updating their Bicycle Master Plan (the current one is over 10 years old). The Bicycle Master … Read more
[The Rose Quarter might get better soon. (Looking North from Interstate Blvd. toward Wheeler).] As part of the East Side Big Pipe construction project, the Bureau of Environmental Services will fund $2 million worth of projects to, “neighborhoods and business districts affected by combined sewer overflow construction”. They call it their Community Benefits Opportunity Program. … Read more
[PDOT map of planned improvements.Click for larger view.] Over the weekend, Evan Manvel from the BTA joined neighborhood leaders, PDOT traffic safety staff, and City Commissioner Randy Leonard on a ride to envision improvements on a bicycle boulevard route that will bypass SE Foster Blvd. Evan shares this map (at right, click for larger view) … Read more
Chris Smith mentioned this yesterday, but I just noticed an interesting story buried in the Metro Section of today’s Oregonian. Here’s the gist. Metro is in the midst of their Regional Transportation Plan update. According to Metro, this plan is,