Two Portland projects in the running for over $3 million in TE funding

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The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released a list of finalists that are in the running to receive $16 million in federal Transportation Enhancement funding. TE grants are made through the FHWA and are awarded every two years to projects that “strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of our transportation system.”

Portland has two projects still in the running for these funds; the Clinton to the River project and a project that would improve biking and walking conditions to schools in East Portland. Below are summaries of both projects:

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Salem Watch: Car-sharing bill passes House (and other updates)

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“Car sharing families drive demonstrably less than car-owning families, less driving means less congestion and less pollution.”
— Sen. Jackie Dingfelder

House Bill 3149, which would make it easier for Oregonians to share their cars with others, passed the House today by a vote of 47-10. The bill would allow a car owner to rent out their car to friends or neighbors through a car-sharing service without fear of increased insurance rates or loss of policy.

The bill’s chief sponsors are Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland). In a prepared statement following today’s vote, Rep. Cannon said,

“Vehicles sit idle 92% of the time. Peer-to-peer car sharing is a free-market concept that allows car owners to recoup costs of car ownership, while those without cars are able to rent a vehicle in their own neighborhood.”

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Open House announced for SW Barbur High Crash Corridor Safety Project

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Here are the details:

SW Barbur Blvd. High Crash Corridor Safety Project

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Drop by anytime between 6:30 & 8:00 PM
Optional Overview Presentation at 7:00 PM
Markham Elementary School (cafeteria) (10531 SW Capitol Highway)
Nearby TriMet Transit Access: Bus Line #44
Somali and Arabic interpreters available.

Stop by to learn more about transportation safety on SW Barbur Blvd. and share your feedback about:

  • Existing conditions
  • Pedestrian, bicycle & transit deficiencies
  • Problem areas

$4 million lighting project complete, ODOT re-opens I-205 path

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The Oregon Department of Transportation and TriMet have completed their joint project to install new overhead lighting on the I-205 multi-use path. The project was paid for by a $4 million federal stimulus grant and the new lighting was installed from Lents to Gladstone in the southern portion of the 16.5 mile path.

Back in October, ODOT closed some portions of the path to finish up the work and they announced just last week that the entire path has now been re-opened (albeit with some construction crews still present on the trail tying up loose ends).

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The Monday Roundup

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Have you heard that oft-cited factoid about Portland’s entire bikeway network costing about the same amount as a single mile of urban freeway? Well, it checks out.

Here’s the news that caught our eye this week:

– Conservative politics and bicycle transportation ought to go hand in hand, according to this article and this editorial in the aftermath of the National Bike Summit.

– The prominent banker who drove through the Critical Mass ride in Porto Alegre, Brazil last month has been charged with attempted murder, and his criminal record has been uncovered, revealing other incidents of reckless driving and domestic violence.

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Blue?Green Pake single speed, mtn bars, built by owner 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: Pake
Model: single speed, mtn bars, built by owner
Color:Blue?Green
Size:52
Serial: TON8G05763
Stolen in Portland, OR 97214
Stolen:2011-03-19
Stolen From: Outside of our house, behind fence, we were home, lights on, 10 min. outside …
32nd Place and Sherman St.
Neighborhood: Richmond
Owner: Mike Schwarzenberger
OwnerEmail: unclemikebike@gmail.com
Reward: maybe
Description: Single speed, mtn handlebars, rack in back, oregon sticker on down tube, pedals diamondback black, shimano V brakes
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: filing in minutes
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Black Schwin Panther n/a

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Year: n/a
Brand: Schwin
Model: Panther
Color:Black
Size:26 “
Photo: http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8526/sbike2.jpg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97215
Stolen:2011-03-13
Stolen From: SE 48th Ave/Se Stark
Neighborhood: Sunnyside/ Hawthorne
Owner: Michael Jones
OwnerEmail: mykaljones@gmail.com
Description: Black Older single speed bike. It was my means of transportation. Please contact me or return, no questions asked
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Event: Tour des Chutes (7/16/11)

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Event Name: Tour des Chutes
Event Start Date: 16 July 2011
Start Time: 6:00:00 AM
Web Site: http://www.tourdeschutes.org
Event Description: Multi-Distance Cycling Event benefiting cancer survivorship. 7,25,48,72 and 100 mile routes in and around Bend, Oregon. Fully supported. Lunch and Post-Ride Party included in registration.

BLUE/GREY/WHITE TREK LEXA S T 50 WSD 2011

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Year: 2011
Brand: TREK
Model: LEXA S T 50 WSD
Color:BLUE/GREY/WHITE
Size:50″
Serial: WTU 145 C0614F
Stolen in PORTLAND, OR 97209
Stolen:2011-03-17
Stolen From: MY APARTMENT BUILDING’S BIKE AREA. IN NW PORTLAND. 130 NW 19TH AVE. PORTLAND, OR 97209. MOST PROBABLY IN THE NIGHT TIME.
Neighborhood: NORTHWEST
Owner: SABINA IBARRA-BOLANOS
OwnerEmail: sabi.ibarra@gmail.com
Reward: YES. $150
Description: TREK WOMEN’S ROAD BIKE. GREY/BLUE/WHITE. ROAD BIKE HANDLE BAR. CHROME PEDALS (ONE SIDE REGULAR/OTHER SIDE FOR BIKE SHOES). WATER BOTTLE HOLDER. BIKE GALLERY STICKER ON THE FRONT (MAY BE TAKEN OFF). LEATHER BLACK AND WHITE SEAT. BRAND NEW. NO SCRATCHES.
Police record with: PORTLAND PD
Police reference#: T11001897 (TEMPORARY CASE #)
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Join us for a Get Together in Lents

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East Portland Sunday Parkways-47

Lents here we come!
(Photo © J. Maus)

I’m very excited to announce that our monthly Get Together event is coming to Lents — the “crossroads of the Eastside.”

Join us at Lents Commons (9201 SE Foster Rd) on March 30th from 5:30 to 7:30. We’ll get to know what issues are on the minds of Lents residents and everyone who rides and works in nearby East Portland neighborhoods. From new neighborhood greenways and other projects in the works, to the East Portland in Motion effort being undertaking by the City of Portland — there’s no shortage of topics to discuss.

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike